Regatta a great day despite wind and overcast conditions

By DAVE ANDREWS WELL, if you didn’t venture out to the regatta late last month, I don’t blame you. Overcast, and the wind. Surf boats would have been more appropriate as the 130-odd crews, who rowed in the event, headed past the Nagambie Hostel and into the "bowl". A hellish crosswind greeted them as the rowed past the brewery and headed west down the rowing course, to finish their 5.2km rowing course. They had started up at the caravan park boat ramp, off Loddings Lane and rowed down past the caravan park. Once they hit "teddy bear corner", the Kirwans Bridge fork, they headed right towards town. You can hide from most of the elements on the river, where you generally get good protection, but shallow exposed straits and bays are notorious, if unkind weather is afoot. Enough complaining, it was a great day overall. Once the crews were off the water and had racked boats and oars, it was over to the boat-park for a feed and some entertainment. The BBQ Den and Gozleme (Turkish street food) did the heavy lifting in feeding the ravenous rowers. If you were an adult on the day, you had further options, with our fine wineries presenting their wares. Tahbilk, our GOLD sponsor, was there with Fowles Winery and Boxgrove Winery. All looked like they were having a busy time, offering tastings and sales. Holly and team from Tahbilk said they enjoyed the day and had many inquiries about their range of wines. Kyle from Fowles had a nice presentation on offer, and also got his share of inquiries. Viv from Boxgrove was like the one-armed wallpaper hanger, flat out most of the day. Apart from the surf, rowers were very positive about the course and their efforts. I think when you have a challenging row, and survive it, you are exhilarated. The adrenaline takes a while to subside. The Choir Monkeys banged out the hits and are a fine covers band. They got the crowd in the mood for a party and had the school aged rowers, really into it. Our local former deputy premier, Pat McNamara and wife Merryl, presented the medals and trophies to the category winners. Bonus for the masters rowers, was a bottle of wine from our sponsors. Thank you to our wineries for your support. OK, you are probably pleased to know, as are we organisers, that's it until February 2024, for another rowing regatta.