Students prepare for Varsities’ boat race showdown on Kowie

Rival institutions aim to dethrone Tuks as champs

It’s all systems go for the Rand Merchant Bank Universities Boat Race, which starts on the Kowie River from the Halyards today September 7, with the race programme finishing on Saturday September 9.

The Kowie River has been abuzz with activity as teams, who arrived from Sunday last week, prepare for the energy-sapping race which is a test of character and team spirit.

Tuks University are defending champions in the both men’s and women’s A-section and are joined in the race programme by Maties, Nelson Mandela University, Rhodes, UCT, UFH, University of Johannesburg, UWC, Wits and WSU.

The boat crews have to navigate their “eights” [nine including coxswain] around a variety of 90 degree corners and avoid numerous sandbanks to complete their 5.5km (men) and 4km (women) races.

University Sport SA rowing chair Samuel James, who rows for last year’s A section runners-up UCT, said the rowers were happy with the river conditions and safety procedures around the regatta, which has been taking place on the Kowie since 1984.

“There are obviously a few sandbanks that have popped up here and there, especially in what we call the ‘killing fields’, the longest straight of the river going up. But other than that, it seems pretty clear and in pretty good shape.”

The course follows the same route every year, “but is never boring due to the exciting challenges it represents,” James said. The starting point is roughly 5.5km from the finish line which is about 100m past the iconic arch of the Nico Malan bridge.

James described the regatta as “something unique” which was roughly modelled on the OxfordCambridge boat race. “That’s where the idea started when it was raced between UCT and Wits on the Vaal many years ago before coming to Port Alfred.

“I think this [Kowie River] is one of the nicest rivers and is exciting for this kind of race, and with its sandbanks and currents and iconic bridge, there is a bit more of a challenge for rowers from a tactical point of view,” James said.

“We start [Thursday] with what we call a ‘heads race’, which is effectively a time trial, where all crews line up at the start line, one by one and set off 30 seconds apart. When they cross the start line, the clock starts and another time is taken when they finish and they are then ranked according to that,” James said.

“The top two from the time trial will progress into the A final, the third and fourth placed teams into the B final and that’s how we work backwards from the last race of the day.”

James said though there was a serious and competitive mindset that prevailed among the various men’s and women’s teams leading up to Thursday’s time trial, the fun element was certainly not lost on the teams.

“Everyone tries to stay as friendly as they can. It is, however, incredibly competitive.

“We’re not friends on the water and it can get a bit aggressive during a race, but off the water there is great fun and camaraderie among the teams.

“For example the UCT team dye their hair blue.

“So, too, the Maties and Tuks. “We have nice meals together as a team, and we watch movies.

“We are here for five or six days with most student rowers on vacation, so we may as well have fun too.”

James feels that for the rowers, Port Alfred is definitely an attractive option when it comes to the annual regatta.

“We make Port Alfred our home base for a good few days and we enjoy the atmosphere and hospitality.

“You often see everyone running around following races that creates a good vibe, and besides, this is the most spectator-friendly venue you can get on any regatta with good vantage points all around.”

James said the board of trustees, some of whom are former rowers, are a perfect “guiding hand” in terms of organising this year’s race.

“And Rhodes University, with their administrative expertise and financial inputs, are a great channel we use to assist in setting up this regatta and helping us get into contact with the right people.”

Meanwhile, the Madibaz Rowing Club is confident, given its growth in personnel, will boost their performance at this weekend’s regatta.

After disappointing results at last month’s intervarsity which also involved Rhodes, Walter Sisulu and Fort Hare, coach Alisdair Macphail lessons learnt would stand them in good stead. “Most of our athletes are novices,” Macphail said. “Our goal is to do our very best and then to build on the results we do achieve.”

Tuks rowing chair and women’s team captain, Emily Pollock, said despite their men’s and women’s teams having to recruit a few new members this year, they are quietly confident as they go about the task of defending their titles. “We last raced competitively in April but we have been training very hard.

“It’s tough out there, but we have just got to ensure we execute our plans to the best we can,” Pollock said.

“We have had plenty of time out on the water since arriving and we are happy with the course layout.

“The different challenges here [sandbanks and turns] make it a really special race.

“We absolutely love coming here, the vibe and the atmosphere are great when it comes to interacting with the locals and other varsity folk who we’ve last seen a year ago.”

We make Port Alfred our home base for a good few days — and we enjoy the atmosphere and hospitality