St Benedict’s successfully defends title
St Alban’s College emerged as the best sculling school.
Reigning national rowing champions St Benedict’s College remains undefeated, holding onto the coveted title for the 28th consecutive year.
ALSO READ: St Benedict’s Boys row their way to green and gold
Despite incredibly tough competition at the annual regatta, held from March 2 to 4, St Benedict’s placed first in all age groups.
With the massive hyacinth infestation at Roodeplaat Dam, the South African Rowing Championships were relocated to Victoria Lake Club in Germiston.
This meant instead of racing over 2 000m, the country’s top schools showed their prowess over 1 000m.
Other top contenders for the 2022 title included Jeppe Boys, St Alban’s College, St Stithians, St John’s College and St Andrew’s Grahamstown.
There were plenty of gutsy performances and nail-biting finishes, but in the end, St Benedict’s emerged as the best u-14, u-15, u-16 and Open Boys Club, won gold in both the first and second eights and was recognised as South Africa’s best rowing school.
St Alban’s College emerged as the best sculling school.
Although the number of entries was down in the pandemic’s wake, which curtailed participation in the sport, 14 boys’ schools, seven girls’ and three co-ed schools took part from across the country.
The event also drew entries from five of South Africa’s Junior Clubs, who entered scullers from 15 different schools.
Sadly, Covid-19 restrictions also meant the South African Schools Rowing Union could not invite several Zimbabwean schools that traditionally take part in the regatta.
But despite a decrease in numbers, there was no lack of talent with the art of rowing proudly on display in an exciting culmination to the 2021/2022 rowing season.
“We are the only South African school to hold on to 28 back-to-back titles in what is a truly demanding sport.
“This victory is a result of many hours of training and focus, and we’re incredibly proud of our boys who gave it their all this weekend, demonstrating how dedication and hard work always pays off,” said college headmaster Dave Jeffrey.
“Of course, without the commitment of coaches and parents, as well as a continuous investment into our flagship sport, we would not have such a large percentage of our boys selecting rowing as their preferred summer sport.
“Success breeds success and everyone wants to be part of a winning team.”
The pandemic severely compromised school sport in the last two years, and the opportunities to compete were limited.
But rowing schools continued to train to ensure the future of SA Rowing remained bright.
This commitment was rewarded when, for the first time in two years, parents, family and friends could gather for
SA Champs and truly celebrate the boys’ successes.
In the Best Co-Ed School category, Somerset College came out tops, with St Dunstan’s in second and Germiston High School scooping up third place.
Holy Rosary School finished third in the Best Girls’ School category behind St Andrew’s School for Girls in second and St Mary’s in first.
St Benedict’s beat out Jeppe High School for Boys and St Alban’s College to take the title of Best Boys’ School.
“The 2021/2022 Rowing season may have ended, but preparations for the next season are already underway. Over the years, we have turned out some of the top South African rowers and many international university rowers were born and bred at St Benedict’s.
“The way we approach our training and mentoring in the sport has worked for 28 years, and we are not stopping here,” said Bennies Old Boy and rowing coach Darryn Roff.
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