Success at 2024 Schools Championship Regatta

What a lead-up to a regatta! With an unseasonal rain event severely impacting the rowing course on the Fitzroy River, the difficult decision was made to relocate the regatta. After consultation with our rowing community and other key stakeholders, the decision was made to take it to the Queensland State Rowing Centre, Wyaralong. And thus began the most manic three weeks of our calendar.

Amongst the regular tasks of a normal regatta, we took on the mission of assisting regional schools in finding accommodation, booking extra services for the venue, re-jigging the schedule to accommodate 10 lanes… but it was done!

Our biggest thanks and congratulations must go to all the competitors, followed very closely to those who you got there. The regatta would not have been as big a success if it wasn’t for the strong athlete and supporter numbers.

We would also like to thank the SEQ community for pitching in where needed – whether it was volunteering, providing equipment or words of encouragement – it was greatly appreciated. Thank you to Bundy and Rocky for their continued support, even after the move. 

Thank you to our sponsors: Peff Cabinets, Bont Rowing, Sun Water, Lupton Stewart Orthodontics and The Regatta Shop as well as all other vendors, particularly the ongoing support from the Scenic Rim Regional Council and SEQWater. 

Thank you to our stellar Boat Race Official team, who were there bright and early every morning and stayed until after every last race. Your presence was crucial for a successful regatta.

Congratulations to all the athletes on their wins, PBs and good sportsmanship. With 874 athletes, across 49 events and 2919 seats, it has been one of our biggest regattas yet. With the weather mostly behaving, we saw some incredibly tight and competitive racing, particularly in the 9-10 year groups where the field regularly exceeded 50 entries across multiple events.

One of the biggest highlights of the regatta was being able to present our newly designed medals from Epic Medals. From the medal design competition held earlier in the year, there wasn’t just one winner, but two with the community being split over Olive’s design for a ribbon featuring different schools blade designs and Jaeve’s medal design which represented the regions and community. Congratulations to both Jaeve and Olive. Jaeve had unfortunately returned to the US by the time competition rolled around, however, Olive was on hand to accept her gift pack from Gyles Miller of the Regatta Shop, as well as a commemorative medal.

Once again, on behalf of Rowing Queensland, thank you for your presence, support and good sportsmanship at the 2024 QLD Schools Championship Regatta. We look forward to seeing you next year in Rockhampton!