Flashing blades to hit water

THE first big school regatta of this year’s rowing season is on this weekend, with 425 rowers set to embark on the Franklin Rowing Course in the state’s South.

Local rowing giants Collegiate, Hutchins and the Friends School will compete against 16 other schools from across the state, including Launceston Grammar, which will send its under-14 and under-15 rowers to race against their southern rivals.

Tasmanian Schools Rowing Association president Julian Joscelyne said he expected the two-day weekend event to be one of the biggest on the state’s rowing calendar.

“The whole rowing community is really looking forward to seeing all these young rowers getting out and showing their love for the sport,” Joscelyne said.

“I’m expecting really strong competition from all of the schools.

“It’s going to be a fantastic spectacle for all families and rowers, to actually see it in close quarters.”

He said the inter-school event was a great opportunity for students to have a taste of what their rival schools had to offer.

“It’s a good test for students, particularly in the South, to see how rowers in the North compete,” he said.

The Derwent Mercantile Collegiate crew is expected to give a strong performance in the under-19 women’s eight category after a win at the State Pennant 6 last month.

And in the small boats, Hobart College student Amy Bain is considered a favourite to win in the single sculls.

Competition is from 9am to 4pm tomorrow and from 8am to 3pm on Sunday.