Boats afloat as Grammar takes to the water

SWIFTNESS and a strong competitive edge is what Ballarat Grammar School hopes its new boats will bring this rowing season.The Grammar rowing fraternity christened four new boats into its fleet at Lake Wendouree on Sunday.Two were in action last summer, but Grammar director of rowing Bradd Denham said they were included in the ceremony to ensure good luck.This was the first chance the entire rowing squad and extended family could gather at the Grammar boat sheds since the addition of the boats.Lack of water has kept training dispersed between Geelong and Melbourne, making it hard for all rowers to come together.Mr Denham said it was a great way to officially launch the new rowing season."It's a great positive for the students to see the new equipment and know they'll be racing with the latest and best technology," Mr Denham said.The long-time rowing coach was humbled to have a senior boys' boat christened in his name.Fellow coach and former Grammar rower John Nevett was also honoured in the ceremony for more than 20 years instructing crews.The John Nevett featured on the water last summer as the boys' firsts boat, including their second placing in Head of the Lake.He hoped the christening would help the boys find the extra canvas they needed to edge out arch-rival St Patrick's College this season.A new junior boat was named after Grammar's support club The Vikings, who assist students with transport to training, regattas and camps.Grammar's eight boat was christened with its sporting war-cry Boomalacka.The Boomalacka began to make its mark on the water in the under-19s at national level last season.Mr Denham said the eight was an exciting addition to the Grammar rowing program and boys and girls' crews had proved they could mix it with traditional eight heavyweight schools from Melbourne.The program's focus is on the coxed four at the nationals and Ballarat Associated Schools' Head of the Lake regatta, where Grammar will defend its girls' crown.