After a short hiatus, the Australian Whaleboat Racing Championships will return to Warrnambool’s Hopkins River in March.
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The revised format to be held over two days will include new features – the Victorian St Ayles Skiff Championships and a small wooden boat exhibition.
Crews took to the water on the weekend to promote the South West Regatta hosting a come and try session in Port Fairy on September 18 to encourage more people to enter the event.
South West Regatta working group member Patrick Groot said the aim of the come and try day was to increase interest in the two sports and encourage more entries in the regatta.
“We’re trying to get more teams interested and that will sustain the overall concept of whaleboats in Warrnambool,” Mr Groot said.
“We plan to have local (skiff) teams as well as teams from across Victoria and beyond competing in these four-person rowing boats. We encourage teams to register for both the skiff regatta and whaleboat titles.”
Mr Groot said the sport was good fun. “Not everyone is interested in the competitive side. We encourage them to get involved and participate. It’s a good activity and it’s healthy too.”
The come and try day will be held at Port Fairy’s Historic Lifeboat Station, Griffiths Street, September 18 from 11am to 2pm.
To express your interest as an individual or team contact Patrick Groot on 0400 359 681 or Cindy Kelly at Flagstaff Hill on 5559 4612. Inductions and training will begin in October.
