The annual Schools’ Boat Race took place on the Kowie River in Port Alfred on 9 and 10 December and King Edward VII School’s 1st 8 emerged victoriously.
After heat trials on 9 December, the school was placed as the fastest boat on the water and qualified for the final with ease.
Lisa Slooten, director of communications at the school said the boys had trained hard and had a final preparation camp at the Vaal River on 28 November.
“This year we were seen as one of the possible favourites after our recent win at the Gauteng Championship’s,” she said. “Boat racing is a different type of event, however, being raced over 5.9km as opposed to the championship distance of 2km.”
The crew was coxed by club captain, Ntsako Mphahlani, who returned to Kowie for his second race. After steering the team to the final against St Andrew’s College, Grahamstown, it was Mphahlani’s experience and confidence that earned his team victory.
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