Regatta positively oarsome

OFFICIALS are looking ahead, with planning set to start for future Royal Hobart Regatta events after the 183rd instalment of the waterside carnival wrapped up on Monday.

Regatta president David Skegg said more than 24,000 patrons visited the three-day event “even though COVID slowed us down tremendously”.

He said the volunteer event operated as organisers had hoped, despite logistical challenges this year.

“The easy decision would have been not to hold it because of the pandemic, but that wasn’t good enough for us. We wanted it on for the community and we found it worked well,” he said.

“We had great support from the Premier [Peter Gutwein] and TasPorts. I think the population wanted an event to come and enjoy, and the Regatta filled that hole. We’re now looking ahead with Regatta planning across the next five to 10 years.”

Mr Skeggs said Monday’s comeand-try day was filled with fun for the whole family, with loads of patrons taking to the water, including siblings Harriet and Ruby Harris-Sproule who made a splash in kayak events.

In competitive events, Lindisfarne Rowing Club members made a clean sweep in the three rowing races, while junior rowing races were cancelled because of water quality concerns.

RHG rowing convener Julian Jocelyne said it was disappointing to cancel the junior races after some events at schools regattas at Franklin in recent weeks were also cancelled because of weather conditions.