Rowers’ chance to etch names in history books
THE Southport School’s rowing class of 2019 will today get their chance at glory, and with it will come the opportunity to have their names etched on to a shed at the Nerang River.
The powerful school’s eight best rowers and their coxswain will today pull on their white, red and blue zoot suits and row to the starting line at Wyaralong Rowing Centre.
There awaits their chance at destiny, with each of the 21 previous winning TSS crews in the prestigious Head of the River race earning the right to have their names etched on to a plaque on the school’s shed.
It’s an honour Jarrod Tait and his 2006 crew enjoyed.
“There’s always lots of hype leading up to Head of the River,” he said.
“They’ve trained for it all season so I would just say stick to the race plan and whatever the coaches have told them.
“I’ve spoken to a few of the other boys and it’s just a special day because we all came together and the rest is history.”
Tait recalls race fever overtaking the halls of TSS but said that the two hours before the race was a blur.
“We were nervous but also very excited,” he said.
“We’d all been training for months, some since Year 8.
“They hosted an old boys dinner so we got to hear about their experiences and then they gave us a war cry.
“All I distinctly remember on the day before the race was our friends, family and teachers making a tunnel for us to walk through as we put the boat into the water.”
The First VIII race is scheduled for 11am today with the first race starting at 8am.