The 131st annual Dimboola Rowing Club regatta gets underway at the weekend, with competitors and visitors coming from all over to take part in the event.
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Preparation has been hectic for the Dimboola Rowing Club, but captain Jenni Brand is looking forward to the action getting started.
“We’re all pretty excited, there’s always a great crowd,” Brand said.
“We’ve got people coming from everywhere. There’s competitors from Port Adelaide, Wentworth, Essendon, Mildura, Rutherglen, Nagambie – all over.
“It’s probably not as big as it used to be, but it’s still one of the favourite events of the whole regatta year.”
Brand said the smaller river and unique set-up at Dimboola can make for especially interesting viewing for spectators.
At 750 metres, the races are slightly shorter than usual regattas, but this allows for a more intimate atmosphere, with viewers able to see the start and finish line all from the same spot.
“Even though it’s a time trial it does get very competitive, and it does get pretty interesting during close races.”
Of Dimboola’s competing teams, Brand said she was quietly confident of the under-17 girls putting in a good performance.
“We just had a level two coach, which is pretty high, come over and work with them all weekend,” Brand said. “They’re looking pretty good. Three of them are 14 and one is 15 so they will have to row in the under-17s age group, but they should do great.
“Two will race in the under-15s double as well, so we’re quietly confident.”
Brand also said she was looking forward to the potential of coming up against the Horsham Rowing Club in a jovial Wimmera rivalry.
The forecast looks perfect for the event, at 26 degrees on Saturday and 28 degrees on Sunday with minimal wind. All the action is scheduled to kick off on Saturday at 9am.
