Scotch expands rowing program as participation rate doubles

A huge increase in the popularity of rowing at Scotch College Adelaide has prompted the school to significantly expand its rowing program on the eve of the 2014-15 season.

More than 160 Scotch students from Years 7-12 will hit the water this season, which is almost double the 87 participants the college had last year as it continues to develop as one of South Australia’s top rowing schools.

Under the guidance of second-year Director of Rowing Toby Lister – who competed for Australia in the Men’s Eights at the 2012 London Olympics – Scotch has invested in 26 new boats to cater for its growing rowing program.

Mr Lister says students are already familiarising themselves with the new boats – which arrived this month from leading Australian manufacturer WinTech Racing – as part of pre-season training ahead of the season opening regatta at West Lakes on October 25.

“Scotch has always been a good rowing school, but with more and more students now participating in the sport we’re taking the college’s rowing program to the next level,” he said.

“We have made a major investment in rowing in the form of 26 brand new boats, so the challenge now is to keep increasing the participation rate among middle and senior school students and developing the abilities of our many talented young rowers.

“Naturally, we also want to keep striving for success on the water and developing as one of the state’s premier rowing schools.

“Our First VIII crews have really stepped up in recent years in the boys and girls divisions, so we’ve set our sights on the Head of the River which we think we’re a genuine chance of winning in the next couple of years.”

Scotch finished third in the boys Head of the River last year behind PAC and St Peter’s College, while the college’s girls have finished runner-up to Walford in the past two seasons.

Rowing SA’s season opening regatta at West Lakes on October 25 will be followed by the season’s first “School Super Series” regatta on November 8, which will be hosted by Scotch at West Lakes.

The annual Head of the River has been scheduled for West Lakes on March 21.

ISSUED BY HUGHES PUBLIC RELATIONS: Please contact: Kieran Hall on 0422 147 151 or kieran@hughespr.com.au