Ballarat Clarendon College rowers had a busy weekend on the water, with over 170 students racing across two days at two different locations. On the back of one of the school’s most successful years at the Head of the Lake competition in 2021, there is much excitement and anticipation in the boatshed for the 2022 event later this month.
Last weekend, the Girls Division 1 crew were fortunate to row against Olympian and Old Collegian, Kat Werry (2011) and Olympian, Lucy Stephan, in the Wendouree Ballarat Regatta. Rowing in a pair and with a 10 second handicap, Kat and Lucy were only just beaten by the Clarendon crew.
Kat is the second Old Collegian to have won two Head of the Lake titles in 2010 and 2011 as a member of the Girls Division 1 crew. Now, a World Champion and Olympian, Kat provided much inspiration to the current girls’ crews as they look forward to not only the Head of the Lake, but the Head of Schoolgirls’ Regatta and National Championships.
There were many achievements made by Clarendon crews from all year levels over the weekend. The Girls Open Division 1, 2 and 3 crews and the Y10 Boys Division 1, 2 and 3 crews won their respective races. Y11 student, Hamish Richardson, won the single scull race while Clarendon’s first racing mixed eight of senior rowers also won their competition.
The McClure family, consisting of three current students in Charlie (Y10), Kate (Y11) and Ellie (Y12) and their father, Richard (1991), with coxing assistance by James Tippett (Y8), enjoyed sharing a boat while wearing Clarendon colours.
Old Collegian, Richard McClure, is a current member of the 1920 Club auxiliary and is a member of the rowing coaching staff. It’s wonderful to see how shares his extreme passion for rowing with his entire family.
We are so proud of all of our students who competed on the weekend and are thankful for our team of dedicated coaches and volunteers who ensure our students achieve their goals. Even our Y9 Boys crews assisted with boat holding duties at the Saturday regatta. Our students would not have these same opportunities without the dedication and support of the entire Clarendon community. Thank you!