Schools from Johannesburg north gave it their all at the recent South African Schools Rowing Championship.
In partnership with Rand Merchant Bank, the championship was finally able to take place at the Victoria Lake Club in Germiston on the weekend of March 4 after a two-year hiatus.
According to Andre Oosthuyzen, president of the South Africa Schools Rowing Union, this year’s competition was not to be missed as 24 of the country’s top schools, 1 150 rowers in total, competed for the title.
“The championships were cancelled in March 2021 and this was the first time in two years that parents, family and friends were able to gather for SA Champs and truly celebrate the rowers’ successes.
“Spectator numbers reached record numbers with 4 171 spectators passing through the gates over the course of the three-day event.”
St Stithians Boys’ College was among the teams to give the reigning boys’ champions, St Benedict’s College, a ‘run for their money’. Despite giving it their best, St Benedict’s came out on top for a 28th consecutive year.
The girls’ competition was just as intense as the traditional rivalry between St Mary’s School, Waverley and St Andrews School for Girls. St Mary’s School came out on top, awarded the trophy for the Best Girls School with triumphs for their U15, U16 and open age groups.
Oosthuyzen added that it was both phenomenal and encouraging to see how well the schools performed at this year’s competition.
“Despite the multiple challenges, rowing schools across the country continued to train to ensure that the future of SA rowing remains bright,” he said.
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