Rowers prepare to return to Lake Wendouree

THE Wendouree Ballarat Rowing Club will meet with prospective members this Sunday as it prepares to resume training in the lake for the first time in more than seven years.The meeting is aimed at helping year 12 students continue rowing after high school. The club can now commit to offering a training program next year after recent rainfall boosted water levels in the lake.Wendouree Ballarat Rowing Club boat captain Tim Wright said up to 50 people were expected at the meeting on Sunday including current members.The club hopes to resume training on Lake Wendouree early next year. Once the lake is full, rowers will be able to train daily rather than being limited to one or two sessions a week.The club will begin training once a month with other clubs in Melbourne until dredging and weed-cutting works have been carried out.But Mr Wright said local competitors would relish training in Lake Wendouree."It's a bit like getting your identity back," he said.Mr Wright said rowers in Melbourne were keen to compete in Lake Wendouree which would also be good for tourism in Ballarat.A Rowing Victoria development officer will speak about opportunities for Ballarat's athletes to compete in state and national competitions.