Despite windy conditions and a rather choppy Lake Wendouree, a decision has been made for the program to run as normal.

Winds this morning have averaged around 30km/h, coming from a south-easterly direction.

However, there has been gusts as high as 43km/h since 7.30am.

Racing will start from 9am.

See the bottom of the page for a full race schedule.

SATURDAY NIGHT: Forecast windy weather for Sunday morning could mean no boats on the lake for Ballarat’s biggest rowing competition of the year. 

A Ballarat resident closely involved in Head of the Lake has told The Courier a meeting was held on Saturday evening to decide whether the regatta should go ahead, with concerns high winds would affect the event. 

Rowing coaches were told at the finish of the meeting to continue preparation for the event as normal.

School principals will make the final decision to either go ahead or postpone Head of the Lake at 8am on Sunday morning. 

Winds south to southeasterly 25 to 40 km/h are forecast for Sunday.

CREW PROFILES

The wind speed is expected to reach 33 km/h at 8am Sunday morning and 39 km/h by 11am, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. 

The wind direction is also a concern for rowing coaches, as a side wind can be difficult for lining up crews. 

The advanced senior crews may well be able to handle the strong winds, but the major concern will surround the younger year levels.

If the regatta was to be rescheduled, it would seem likely that it would take place early in the week given the Rowing Victoria State Championships are held next weekend, with competing crews requiring enough time to recover.

Following last year’s controversial re-row in the boys’ division one, after St Patrick’s College’s cox weighed in two kilograms short of the minimum 55 kilogram requirement, organisers would have been hoping for a smooth-running meet this time around – however, that now looks to be in the hands of the weather.

If a decision is made to go ahead, racing action will start from 9am with Head of the Lake titles up for grabs from 11.30am. Prime viewing is near the Olympic Rings precinct.

SCHEDULE

9am: Female Coxed Four Year 9 division 6 (1km);

9:05: Female Coxed Four Year 9 division 5;

9:10: Male Coxed Four Year 9 divisions 5-8;

9:15: Female Coxed Four Year 9 division 4;

9:20 Male Coxed Four Year 9 division 4;

9:25: Female Coxed Four Year 9 division 3;

9:30: Male Coxed Four Year 9 division 3;

9:35: Female Coxed Four Year 9 division 2;

9:40: Male Coxed Four Year 9 division 2;

9:45: Female Coxed Four Year 9 division;

9:50: Male Coxed Four Year 9 division 1;

9:55: Female Coxed Four Year 10 divisions 5, 6;

10:05: Female Coxed Four Year 10 division 1;

10:10: Male Coxed Four Year 10 division 1;

10:15: Female Coxed Four Year 10 division 4;

10:20: Male Coxed Four Year 10 division 4;

10:25: Female Coxed Four Year 10 division 3;

10:30: Male Coxed Four Year 10 division 3;

10:35: Female Coxed Four Year 10 division 2;

10:40: Male Coxed Four Year 10 division 2;

10:45: Female Coxed Four Open division 4;

10:50: Male Coxed Four Open division 4;

10:55: Female Coxed Four Open division 3;

11:00: Male Coxed Four Open division 3;

11:10: Female Coxed Four Open division 2 (2km);

11.20: Male Coxed Four Open division 2;

11:30: Female Coxed Four Open division 1;

11:40: Male Coxed Four Open division 1