Hundreds converge at New Norfolk for rowing meets

The New Norfolk Rowing Club played host to the Southern Schools Junior Quad Rowing Regatta on Saturday on the Derwent River, with almost 400 students competing.

The club has worked with other southern schools to provide this experience.

Now in its 5th year, it has become a key event early in the rowing season.

The NNRC School Rowers - from New Norfolk High, Hobart City High, Sacred Heart College, Dominic College, St Mary's, and local home-schooled students - were coached by Peter Nichols, Richard Hope, Phil Jason and Richard Kerr, and performed well on the day.

The trophies for the overall fastest boys and girls quads went to Hutchins and St Mary’s College, respectively, on what was a windy day.

Sunday saw 202 rowers competing in the annual long-distance race, with competitors ranging from an 11-year-old coxswain to a 78-year-old rower.

They raced from the start line near the Esplanade to Boyer and back, a 9 km distance that was made more challenging by very windy conditions.

The race is a handicapped event, with start times decided by the crew's age, experience and boat size, and 50 boats were in the running.

There were two races included in this regatta, which were the Aly Cashion 8s and the Sharland Sculls trophy.

The Aly Cashion race for eights honours Darrel "Aly" Cashion, a champion coxswain and stalwart of the NNRC. 

This year, 14 8s completed, including a mixed crew of grade 8-11 NNRC rowers.

The shield and trophy for the first eight over the line went to a Sandy Bay composite crew.

The trophy for the fastest crew was won by The Hutchins School Open 8.

The Sharland Sculls trophy, established in 1929, is incorporated into the race as the first single sculler across the line.

This year, 12 rowers competed, with Bella Wells from The Tasmanian University Boat Club taking out the trophy with a time of 44 minutes and 24.42 seconds.