While some regattas are held in Term 4, the majority of regattas take place during February and March. Regattas are held on the Yarra, the Barwon River in Geelong, National Water Sports Centre in Carrum, Lake Wendouree in Ballarat and at Nagambie Lakes. When a regatta is held on the Yarra River or in Carrum, buses are not provided, and parents are responsible for transportation of their rower.
There are occasional regattas that are two-day regattas. Buses will run each day to and from School unless the school has organized overnight accommodation for rowers.
Come join us on the river bank and support our rowers!
The APS Heads of the River Regatta is the oldest continuing school sporting event in the world. First raced in 1868, between Scotch College and Melbourne Grammar, it has been raced every year since then, through both world wars and numerous societal, economic and demographic upheavals. Caulfield Grammar School first entered the competition in 1958 with the first senior boys crew racing in 1959 in Division 3. Girls first raced in the Heads of the River in 1972, with the Caulfield Girls entering for the first time in 1985.
The APS Rowing Competition consists of eleven member schools. These schools include: Caulfield Grammar, Melbourne Grammar, Brighton Grammar, Carey Grammar, Geelong Grammar, Geelong College, Scotch College, Xavier College, St. Kevin’s College, Wesley College and Haileybury.
Two trophies are awarded at the final regatta, The APS Heads of the River.
1. The Fairbairn Cup is awarded to the winner of the Boys Open 1st VIII race. This has been won a record 43 times by Scotch College. This has never been won by Caulfield, however we have come 3rd in 1965, 1968, 1986, 1995, and 2003. Perhaps this year it will be ours!!!!!
2. The Geelong Ladies’ Challenge Cup is awarded to the winner of the Girls Open 1st VIII race. It was won by Caulfield Grammar School in 2012 for the first time and successfully defended in 2013.
All Caulfield Grammar rowers compete at the APS Heads of the River. Junior crews race in one race, with senior crews racing in heats and then finals.
It is the most prestigious and most important regatta on The Club’s rowing calendar. Go 'Fields!
Head of Schoolgirls in Geelong in March is a 3-day event for all girl rowers in junior, development and performance squads. This regatta involves all APS and GSV schools and some rowing clubs, and usually has thousands of people spectate.
Accommodation is provided for all rowers, with food and infrastructure provided by the Pennefather Club. There is a cost of $50 per rower, per day to cover all accommodation, food and other essentials. This is billed as part of the Rowing Levy which will appear in parents' Term 2 invoice.
Parents are encouraged to attend the regatta on the Saturday, stay overnight and attend a dinner in Geelong, with finals raced on the Sunday. The Pennefather Club will setup the infrastructure on the Friday and will dismantle everything on the Sunday afternoon.
Scotch Mercs in Nagambie is a 1-day regatta for all boy rowers in junior, development and performance squads. Performance squad rowers travel to Nagambie on the Friday, stay overnight and row first thing Saturday morning.
Other rowers will be bused up on the Saturday morning. Substantial food is provided for performance squad rowers on the day of the regatta with snacks provided for all boy rowers. It is advisable for junior and development rowers to bring their own lunch on the Saturday.
There is a cost of $50 per rower to cover all food and other essentials. This is billed as part of the Rowing Levy which will appear in parents' Term 2 invoice.
APS Heads of the River is held in Nagambie and is the final regatta event for all rowers – girls and boys, in junior, development and performance squads, and is held on a Saturday.
1st and 2nd Senior Girls and Boys are transported to Nagambie on the Friday to train, stay in accommodation in preparation for their heats first thing Saturday morning.
Buses will transport all other rowers to and from Nagambie on the Saturday.
All parents are encouraged to attend this major event and the Pennefather Club provides lunch and all infrastructure for the entire Caulfield rowing community which is usually around 500 people. Many parents stay Friday night in Seymour where a dinner is arranged. The Pennefather Club will setup the infrastructure on the Friday afternoon before heading to the parent dinner in Seymour. The regatta commences at 9am and concludes at around 3.15pm.
There is a cost of $50 per rower to cover all food and other essentials. This is billed as part of the Rowing Levy which will appear in parents' Term 2 invoice.
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