BALLARAT Grammar School's new eights rowing boat, the Bronwyn Thompson, was blessed at the school's boatshed on Saturday.
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And the school's director of rowing Luke Pougnault said he wanted to further expand its eights program.
"We get a new boat maybe two out of every three years, but we haven't had a new eight for five or six years," Mr Pougnault said.
"I think eights rowing is the future of the sport, we can get more people involved and, out of Ballarat, the level is higher."
The new boat is named after Bronwyn Thompson, a former Ballarat Grammar student and rower during the 1980s who competed in the 1996 and 2000 Olympics in the women's coxed eights.
Ms Thompson travelled from Canberra for the event.
"Her beginnings came from the Grammar shed and she is a great role model for many students," Mr Pougnault said.
"A lot of the students were excited to meet her and talk to her."
The boat was blessed by the Anglican Bishop of Ballarat Garry Weatherall.
