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.