Rowing to return to lake in 2012

LAKE Nagambie will be the venue for the Ballarat Rowing Association regatta for the last time tomorrow. The regatta will return to Lake Wendouree next year after the rowing course redevelopment is completed.In another sign of the re-emergence of Ballarat as a rowing hub, Wendouree Ballarat Rowing Club will be represented.BRA president Eric Waller said this was first time in eight years years the club had a crew in open competition.Wendouree Ballarat’s only other presence has been in masters events.Former Ballarat Clarendon College oarswomen Alice Draffin, Eliza Vincent, Grada Richards and Grace McDonald make up the Wendouree Ballarat crew to compete in the female A grade coxed four division.Rachael Maher, of BCC, is cox.Ballarat Clarendon and St Patrick’s Colleges, and Ballarat High School will be at the regatta as they continue their build-up to the Ballarat Associated Schools Head of Lake at Geelong on Sunday, March 6.Each school will have two crews in the male school coxed four.Ballarat Clarendon has three boats and Ballarat High two in the female school coxed four,The schools will also row in other graded fours events.Competition in 66 races over 1000 and 2000 metres begins at 9am.Wendouree Ballarat Rowing Club has its annual regatta at Nagambie on Saturday, February 12.