Taken as an excerpt from the Rowing Manual
Zeekoevlei Regattas
Mini-Regattas are held at Zeekoevlei, launching from our shed. Departure is usually from
school at approximately 06h30 on those Saturday mornings and lifts to and from the regattas
are coordinated by the parent age group coordinator.
Includes the following regattas (weather dependent):
- New Years Regatta (All)
- Cape Town Regatta (All)
- Summer Regatta (All)
- WC Champs (All)
- WC Senior Champs (U16 & Opens)
Elgin Regattas
Regattas are held regularly at the Eikenhof Dam in Elgin. Departure is usually from school at
approximately 5am on Saturday mornings and lifts to and from the regattas are coordinated
by the parent age group coordinator.
Includes the following regattas (weather dependent):
- Rock the Boat Regatta (All)
- Novice Regatta (U14 &U15)
Misverstand Regatta – Misverstand Dam – Club Elani – Piketburg (All)
Misverstand Heads & Sprint Race is held at Misverstand Dam in Piketburg. Parent are
responsible for lifting the rowers to the dam. There is limited and basic overnight accommodation
available at Club Elani. Our September and January camps are also hosted by Club Elani.
The boys sleep in a massive shed. Mattresses are provided however they are required to bring
their own sleeping bags and pillows. There are cold showers and toilets in a separate ablutions area.
Electrical plug points are provided but it is advisable to bring multi-plugs and extension chords.
Includes the following (weather dependent):
- Missies Heads & Sprint Race (All)
- Rowing Camps (All)
Knysna Regatta (All)
This Regatta has unfortunately been reassessed as it is costly and relies heavily on the
weather and wind. This is a two day regatta, normally either the second last or last weekend of
October. It is held on the western side of the lagoon in Belvedere Estate. The crews race
sprints over 1 000 metres on the Saturday and the various age group race a heads race early
on the Sunday morning. The team depart by bus on either Thursday afternoon after school or
Friday morning and return on the Sunday evening.
Buffalo / Selbourne Regatta – EAST LONDON (since 1879) (Top 10 of each age group)
The Buffalo Regatta began in 1879 and has been held every year since then except for an
interruption during the war years. 2012 celebrated the 125th staging of the event. The Buffalo
Regatta has been a major highlight on the South African rowing calendar due to the two
magnificent trophies at stake – the Buffalo Grand Challenge (for Senior-A Coxless Fours) and
the Silver Sculls (for Senior-A Single Sculls). These two Trophies are commonly regarded as
the most valuable trophies in Southern Africa for any sport as they are priceless (although
insured at over a million rand) and because they are made from pure silver.
The Buffalo Regatta is a National event and has seen participation of international crews from
time to time. One of the features of the Regatta, which serves to underline its unique
positioning within South Africa, is the fact that it is the only national regatta where participants
from all the senior and junior clubs compete side by side. This creates a wonderful
atmosphere, inspired performances, and memorable learning experiences for the up and
coming juniors.
An extra bonus for junior crews is the Selborne Sprint regatta, raced over 500m. This event
was pioneered by the late Trevor Shelver specifically for schools rowing. It generates
enormous excitement in fiercely competitive events where spectators can enjoy schools
rowing at its best. 2009 marked the 50th occasion of the Selborne Sprint Regatta.
The 1990’s saw the Buffalo regatta swell to the largest it’s ever been, providing services and
facilities on both sides of the river. The Regattas of 1997 and 1998 saw nearly 1000
competitors taking part in over 200 events over three days. Since then the number of events
has been increased, particularly in girls and women’s rowing, although a limitation has been
applied to the number of entries than can be accepted. In recent years various infrastructure
changes have also dictated that the regatta be scaled down and now operates entirely off the
West bank of the river.
In past years the characteristics of the Buffalo River have dictated that the rowing course was
limited to four lanes. During the floods of 2003 the creek at the 700m mark spilt so much
debris into the river that extensive restoration had to be undertaken. An enormous project was
completed by the local rowing community to clear the creek and widen the river at that point.
Now that the debris, mainly in the form of rocks and stones, has been removed the regatta
enjoys a six lane course.
South African Boat Race – Port Alfred (Open top 10)
Every December sees the Kowie River in Port Alfred come alive with one of the premier
national boating events on the schools’ calendar. The event is modelled on the
Oxford/Cambridge boat race and sees a number of passionate teams from schools
around the country battle it out in the water. The race is physically demanding and
requires consistent rhythm for the full length of the race. Boys compete in a
6km boys’ eight (eight-oared boats) while the girls take part in girls’ quads
(four-oared boats) on a 4.2km course.
SA Champs – Roodeplaat – (All – or top 14 depending on the size of the age group)
Those participating train at altitude – in Gauteng for the week prior to SA Champs.
The regatta usually takes place at Roodeplaat Dam, North East of Pretoria. The event
starts on Friday with the heats and finals of all sculls and pairs. Saturday and Sunday
usually have a mix of boat classes culminating in the 1st VIII final which is the last event
of the championships. All boys stay together in their crews at the accommodation under
the supervision of their coaches and managers and they usually eat breakfast and supper there.
Entrance tickets for SA Champs will be on sale at the Buffalo Regatta –from the
chairman; otherwise they may be bought at the dam –there is usually a small discount
for pre-purchased tickets. There are a lot of B&B’s and self-catering accommodation
units available in the area. A list of all the options, with contact details is available at
Each school is allocated a ‘spot’ at the regatta and rowers erect the Bosch Rowing
gazebos on the allocated spot, so look out for it and join the party! It’s a festiveoccasion:
there is food and drink on sale but you may wish to bring your own cooler box.
Sleep-outs are not allowed during regattas, i.e. if the regatta is held over a few days,
boys must sleep with the rest of the crew until the completion of the regatta. Boys may
go out for meals with their parents only if they have permission from their coach and
manager.
Parents may take their boys on Sunday evening after the prize giving and after all the
boats have been loaded and are ready for departure.