The first large head race of the 2023-2024 Victorian Rowing Season kicks off this weekend with the running of the Saltwater Classic, Victoria’s version of the Fours Head of the River. This year marks the 20th anniversary of the quad scull only 4.5km race on the Maribyrnong River in Essendon, Melbourne. With 164 entries across 19 events and 668 athletes entered, the entry numbers are one boat lower that 2022, however the head race still promises to be an exciting early preview for the season ahead.
A cox/steerspersons dream or nightmare the beautiful course includes nine corners, three of which are close to 90-degree bends. The river itself is tidal, albeit with a small rise and fall each day. The weather leading up to the event has generally been good, with some rain forecast for Wednesday, meaning there will be a degree of stream. Those able to sit in the stream throughout the 4.5kms will have a significant edge on their rivals.
The highest entries for this year are unsurprisingly in the Schoolgirl Coxed Quad Year 9, Schoolgirl Coxed Quad Division 2 and Schoolgirl Coxed Quad Division 1. As Victoria is a hub of schoolgirl coxed quad rowing the results of these events will be hotly anticipated. With strong entries in the Schoolboy and club quad events there will be plenty of racing on offer for the day.
Schoolboy Coxed Quad Division 1
2022 winners: Scotch College
Last season’s winners, Scotch College, have not entered this year’s edition of the regatta, potentially leaving the door open for 2022 bridesmaids Gippsland Grammar. The boys from eastern Victoria will have some tough competition from the other clubs attending, especially Trinity Grammar School Kew who boast an unchanged line up from the crew that were seventh at the 2023 National Championships. Hawthorn, Melbourne High School and Wendouree Ballarat round out the other contenders, but it is the boys from Kew who are favourites to draw first blood this season.
Schoolboy Coxed Quad Division 2
2022 winners: Gippsland Grammar
In similar circumstances to Division 1, last season’s winners have not entered a crew. Boats from Hawthorn, Melbourne High, Trinity and Wendouree Ballarat will fight it out for the Division 2 title. A slightly left field pick, but Wendouree Ballarat may be favourites to take out this race.
Schoolgirl Coxed Quad Division 1
2022 winners: MLC Kew
One of the largest entries for this regatta with 13 boats, last season’s winners MLC feature with two boats in Division 1. Boasting a 19 second win over Ruyton college in 2022, MLC are probably favourites to take the win again. Standing in their way are Ruyton, winners of the Head of the Schoolgirls regatta in 2022; newcomers to the Saltwater Classic, Loreto Toorak (winners of the Division 1 Head of the Schoolgirls Eight) and a host of other schools including 2022 Head of the Schoolgirls bronze medalists Gippsland Grammar. Last season’s Head of the Schoolgirls silver medalists, Melbourne Girls College, don’t feature in the entries. With further entries from Strathcona, Wendouree Ballarat, Fintona, Korowa and Lowther Hall this promises to be a much-anticipated early season race.
Schoolgirl Coxed Quad Division 2:
2022 winners: Ruyton
The second highest event entered at this regatta, boats from nine clubs will be competing to take home the title. Last season’s winners Ruyton have entered two crews into this division and are likely to go into this event as favourites. Watch out for strong competition from MLC, Strathcona and Loreto Toorak.
Male Open Coxed/Coxless Quad Scull
2022 Winners: Banks Rowing Club
In what looks like an exciting race, Banks, Essendon, Trinity and Yarra Yarra will fight it out for the open quad title. All four clubs have talented scullers in their boats, however Banks are favourites to retain their crown, especially with a fatigued Trinity entered in a coxed boat compared to the others in coxless.
Female Open Coxed/Coxless Quad Scull
2022 Winners: Corio Bay
Last year’s winners Corio Bay don’t feature in what is a straight shoot-out between Melbourne Rowing Club and Power House Rowing Club. Melbourne have entered the race in a coxed boat so expect to see them be chased down by Power House.
Female Year 9 School Coxed Quad:
2022 Winners: Korowa AGS
26 boats from only six clubs will contest this event. This number showcasing the depth some school programs are able to draw on to compete at events. Last season’s winners Korowa again have a crew entered, but with the turnover of rowers from Year 9 to Open, it is the bronze medalists from the Head of the Schoolgirls – Ruyton – that are the favourites to take the win in this category, especially as the gold and silver medalists are absent.
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