Buffalo sailors are up against it
THE country’s biggest rowing competition gets into full flight this week as the annual Buffalo and Selborne Sprints Regatta takes place from tomorrow until Saturday.
Top rowers from all over South Africa will be out in their numbers at the annual rowing extravaganza that sees over a thousand competitors taking part in over 200 events over three days.
This will be the 130th edition of the regatta and it will once again light up the local rowing fraternity.
“We are very excited for the regatta. It is a huge event and brings some amazing talent to take part,” said chairman of the East London Boating Association, Phillip King.
“It is a very prestigious event on the rowing calendar.”
This includes the ever exciting Selborne Schools Sprint Regatta, which sees the school, as well as a number of university boats, going all out over the relatively short distance of just 500m, which usually leads to numerous photo-finishes and some nailbiting action.
It generates enormous excitement in fiercely competitive events, where spectators can enjoy schools’ rowing at its best.
The most anticipated action, however, is always reserved for the Buffalo Grand Challenge, for the Senior A Coxless Fours, and the Silver Sculls, and for the Senior A Single Sculls, which are always fiercely battled out and this year should be no different, with a number of South African Olympians in the mix.
“It’s unbelievable how some of these crews have won gold at the Olympics but have not won the Grand Challenge or Silver Sculls yet, so they come back each year to have another go at it,” said King.
With those two trophies, which are commonly regarded as the most valuable in South Africa, up for grabs it is all set to be a very special occasion.
In last year’s event there were 1 394 seats in the Selborne Sprint Regatta and 1 944 seats in the Buffalo Regatta.
Along with all the oarsmen and women that come down, a large contingent of family and friends also come to the city, which leads to the Buffalo River and East London in general being a hive of activity.
“It is a massive economic boost for the city, with the number of people who come to support the event,” said King.
Over the last couple of years, the event has had a delayed broadcast on SuperSport which has been well received by the broader rowing fraternity and supporters, giving rowing a well deserved boost.
The day’s action gets under way early tomorrow morning and will continue throughout the day, ending in the late afternoon.
Almost a full day of heats will be on show tomorrow, with Friday’s action mostly finals in the sprints and Saturday the main finals of this year’s Buffalo Regatta.
“For the rowers it’s all about conquering the Buffs and that’s what they are here for, so we are all set for a great three days of rowing action,” concluded King.
It all adds up to great rowing.