NSW Schoolgirl and Schoolboy

This was the first year that has seen both regattas held on the same weekend. We had good conditions on both days of racing and it presented good weather for fast times
The Saturday saw the girls take to the water. First up was the schoolgirl year 9 single which saw Elizabeth and Victoria both representing their school, Penrith Christian School. Elizabeth was unable to progress to the final, but was able to pull a personal best by thirteen seconds. Victoria claimed second in her heat to qualify for the final. The final saw everyone go out hard and Victoria got into second place early with the winner, who claimed silver in the under 16 single at State Championships a few weeks prior, pushing off early. Victoria was pushed to the line by a Hunter Valley rower, however she was able to push off in the later stages of the race, to claim the silver.

 Raquel competed for Cherrybrook Technology High School in the schoolgirl single. Being a bottom age competitor, in being in year 11, Raquel raced well to place first in her heat and progress to the final, where she went away with sixth place. 

The next day, was the boys turn. First up was Angus in the year 10 single.  Angus had a well-paced race and claimed silver, and was just four seconds from a Kings sculler who claimed first place. The schoolboy singles were up next. Chris and Joel were drawn in the same heat, Chris and Joel were in the front pack, but Chris was unable to hold on as the race progressed and slipped from the important fourth place and was knocked out. Joel claimed third and progressed to the final where he took out sixth place. Ryan competed in the schoolboy single and Sam in the year 10 single and though both were unable to progress to finals, they represented their schools (Penrith Christian School and St Pauls Grammar respectively) for the first time and raced their first 2km singles.

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The final event for the day was Jooya and Miles in the year 8 double. Having to compete against older competition due to their young ages, this race presented them the first opportunity to finally verse rowers their own age. The boys pushed to a lead early, and held out St Augustines and St Josephs to claim the gold.