For the first time in the 2024-25 rowing season, our Damascus rowers loaded the boat trailer for the season commencing Bendigo regatta. The morning of the regatta started with ringing alarms well before 5 am, and soon after, we were traveling together on the bus. Many students decided to nap during the drive to ensure optimal racing performance, however, we had a few early birds who thought it was appropriate to blast their base-boosted music. We arrived at the regatta and stepped out of the bus into a delightful sunny morning with a slight breeze coming down the course. After rigging the boats and setting up the marquee, it was racing time! Leading our participation in the regatta, were the senior single scullers, junior boy’s quad, intermediate girls double, and senior mixed four who raced in the first bracket. All these crews raced amazing races, highlighting their dedication and commitment during training. It was great to see our connection as a program in cheering for our peers, which continued to be shown throughout the day!

Brackets 2 and 3 of the regatta saw many of our intermediate and junior girl's crews storm down the course. With friendly rivalry and massive support from our marquee on the bank, the crews truly showed what it meant to race with Damascus pride. During this part of the regatta, coaches Harrison Kennet and Paris Goven willingly nominated to cox the boats, and they highlighted that their expertise had not left them. While our crews were racing and relaxing in the sun, we were thankful to have a team of parents and Damascus staff who organised a delicious lunch. The meat and salad rolls, with a refreshing drink from the eski, certainly energized all of our rowers and prepared them for the final races of the day.

The final bracket of the day saw 4 of our crews take to the course. Our junior boys ended the day with their great final race, coming second and exiting the water with a huge smile on each one of their faces. The intermediate girls double and senior girls 4 took to the water for a final time and rowed quality races which were great to spectate and support from the sidelines. The senior and intermediate boys joined together to form a quad, which certainly was fast! Joah Henderson, Oscar Henderson, Will Cattanach and Jasper Bowler's extreme power output and some great coxing from Leuca Henderson plus support from Mr. and Mrs. Henderson on the bank, the quad was able to cross the finish line in first place and win themselves a mug.

After loading up the trailer and getting back on the bus, the trip back on the bus was certainly a quiet one, as all the crew members were tired from their amazing racing efforts throughout the day. We thank all the coaches, parents, staff, bus drivers, and students for making our first regatta of the season a blast. It highlighted many qualities such as determination, teamwork, support, and selflessness which our rowers have developed over the past few months of training.

We look forward to taking it to the opponents at our next regatta!

Go Damascus!

Joah Henderson, Catherine Coad & Meg Mason

Rowing Leadership Group