Anticipation is building for the 2024 South African Schools Rowing Championships on 1-3 March at Roodeplaat Dam in Pretoria, hosted by the South African Schools Rowing Union (SASRU) in partnership with Rand Merchant Bank (RMB). Once again, the event will be broadcast live on SuperSport Schools, bringing the exhilarating action to viewers nationwide.

Featuring 200 races over a three-day programme, the premier annual event for school rowers marks the end of the rowing season and offers young athletes an opportunity to experience fast-paced, competitive racing. The regatta will showcase the skill and athleticism of hundreds of student athletes from over 35 schools across South Africa, as well as three Zimbabwean schools, as they compete for the title of champion school crew. Participants will have the opportunity to train on the course in preparation for the intense competition ahead.

The Schools Championships Rowing Regatta is organised by SASRU through the efforts of a dedicated group of volunteers. As a not-for-profit event, all proceeds are invested back into future regattas, contributing to the growth and development of rowing in South Africa

Head of the organising committee Michelle Kleer says, “This event not only highlights the exceptional skill and dedication of young rowers, but also fosters camaraderie and sportsmanship within the rowing community. We are thrilled to host this growing event with our valued partner, RMB. We share a vision of discovering and nurturing sporting talent, and this event plays a significant role in that mission”.

Tiago Loureiro, Head Coach of the RMB National Squad, agrees. “The Championships serve as a platform for talented athletes to be identified for scholarships and the RMB National Squad, even to become future Olympians. We’re excited to see the talent coming through this year.”

“RMB is committed to fostering the growth of rowing in South Africa,” says Lucy Lightfoot, RMB Head of Brand. “The South African Schools Rowing Championships serve as a platform for young athletes to showcase their talents, forge lasting friendships, and uphold the values of integrity, discipline, and teamwork synonymous with the sport of rowing. We extend our best wishes to all the competing teams and commend their hard work and dedication in reaching this pinnacle of the school rowing season.”

The Championships regatta involves crews competing in elimination heats and finals starting on Friday and ending on Sunday. Heats are raced in the morning and finals in the afternoon of each day in all boat classes. The Boat classes offered include eights, coxed fours, coxed quadruple sculls, coxless pairs, doubles and single sculls for the boys, and coxed quadruple sculls, doubles, pairs and single sculls for the girls. The age groups racing include Open (Under 19), Under 16, Under 15 and Under 14 athletes. The races are rowed on a 2000 meter course which has eight fully buoyed lanes.

Among the participating schools are : Arundel Boat Club, Assumption Convent, Chisipite School, Clarendon Girls High, Diocesan College (Bishops), Diocesan School for Girls, Germiston High School, Grey High School Rowing, Holy Rosary School, Jeppe High School for Boys, King Edward VII High School, Mondeor High School, Parktown Boys High School, Peterhouse, Rondebosch Boys High School, Selborne College, Somerset College, South African College School, Meadowlands High, Musi High, Progress Combined, St Cyprian’s, Rustenberg Girls, St Alban’s College Boat Club, St Andrew’s College Grahamstown, St Andrew’s Girls School, St Benedict’s College, St Dunstans High School, St John’s College for Boys, St Mary’s School Waverley, St Stithian’s Boys College, St Stithian’s Girls College, Boksburg High, King David and Durban Girls High School

For information and updates about the 2024 Schools Championships Rowing Regatta, please follow social channels visit RowSA website and follow RowSA social channels @rowingRSA.

About Rowing South Africa
Rowing South Africa (RowSA) is the sole governing body for the sport of rowing in South Africa. RowSA represents 3,000 registered rowers in South Africa, including novices, juniors, university students, seniors and masters and people with disabilities. For more information, visit https://rowsa.co.za.

About SASRU
The SOUTH AFRICAN SCHOOLS’ ROWING UNION (SASRU) is the association of South African rowing schools, mandated by member schools to manage, promote, co-ordinate, control, discipline and plan the development of school rowing.