The St John’s College Rowing Club ended the season on a high note at the SA Schools Rowing Championships at Roodeplaat Dam in Pretoria from 1 to 3 March.
The small boat races on 1 March saw temperaments and technique tested at the highest level with U15 single scull Matthew Ward and U16 coxless pair James Estill and Dylan Brugman bringing St John’s their first gold and silver medals. James and Dylan also secured themselves a place in the SA Schools Rowing Union Development Tour to the UK in May with this second placing. Open pair Tim Martin and Sven Solot narrowly missed the podium by seconds.
The second day of the event saw excited new U14s racing in their first championship in the octuple and missing out on bronze by two seconds. The ambitious U16 team attained a silver medal in the Sweep Rowing Eight Boat while seniors raced hard for a bronze finish.
The final day of rowing saw U15 rowers Michael Giltrow and Matthew Ward bringing home a gold followed by U16 ‘Brugman’ coxed squad Dylan Brugman, James Hoole, Ruan van der Westhuizen, Luke Wannell (cox) and James Gordon and U16 ‘Buckle’ coxless four including Peter Buckle, James Estill, Nic Chamberlin and Jordyn Henning grabbing silver and gold medals respectively.
The first eight and second eight blue-ribbon events brought the day to a close with both boats ending fourth.
Head coach Grand Dodds said, “The results at the SA Schools Rowing Champs are a testament to the hard work of the boys and coaches this season.”
Related articles:
https://northeasterntribune.co.za/206520/st-johns-college-rowers-lend-their-skills/
