About 20 local groups and eight American teams have their oars at the ready for the south-west heritage celebration.

Warrnambool tourism services manager Peter Abbott said 10 more boats had registered for the event than last year.

He said the unique championships embraced the town’s history.

“It’s something a little bit different,” he said.

“It commemorates the whaling history and heritage of the region... we’ve got our own culture and celebrations.

“The event is a great opportunity to brand Warrnambool as a whale town.”

Each team consists of five rowers and one sweep. Groups will be vying for trophies in cross-nation women’s, men’s and mixed categories.

However, the inclusion of the international squad has initiated the new International Cup series, where Australia will battle America in the same three categories.

“It’s great to have the Americans here. I first met them in San Francisco last year and thought only five or six would come over, but to get 32 is just amazing.

“It’s the first international group out for a while.

“So we’ve got social teams, rowing enthusiasts, and the Americans — it’s just a lot of people having good fun.”

Crew members have to manoeuvre the heavy wooden boats from the E. J. King Park jetty to the bridge, and back.

Mr Abbott said the uneven rowing arrangements had practical purpose in the region’s whaling heritage.

“In the 1840s the boats were used for whaling in Lady Bay... when they found a whale, one person would stand up with the harpoon,” he said.

“Around 40 whales were taken from the bay each year.”

The historic watercraft have been restored and maintained by Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village.

Mr Abbott said the championships revived the 700 kilogram boats.

“It’s just great to see the boats being used,” he said.

“All of the boats are exactly the same and weigh the same, so there are no secret weapons.”

Heats start from 9.30am on Sunday, with the finals beginning at 1pm.