THOUSANDS of kids decked out in their school uniforms on a Sunday? And it wasn't compulsory?
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In Ballarat that can mean only one thing.
The annual Ballarat Associated Schools Head of the Lake regatta saw the city's future leaders engaged in some healthy competition on Lake Wendouree, and on the shoreline as well with the traditional "spit crew" barracking and chanting.
About 600 students were involved in actual rowing itself, divided between 72 girls teams and 50 boys.
The spoils were neatly divided too, with each of the four main awards going to a different school. Ballarat Grammar School reclaimed the Boys Head of the Lake and Ballarat Clarendon College won the main event for the girls, but it was Loreto College and St Patrick's College which won on aggregate in girls and boys respectively.
It was Loreto's "maiden" (appropriately enough) JH Netherway Cup.
"This is definitely a first for Loreto and it feels so, so great," said Loreto rowing captain Kara Broadbent.
"It's incredible how everyone has been so behind us and how much the girls have been committed to training sessions."
Loreto had eight race wins on the day, as did St Pat's, while Grammar finished with six and College three. No one really went home empty handed – Ballarat High School had two race wins, Damascus College one – while Phoenix P-12 Community College's mere involvement (placing a creditable fourth in the in the girls year 10 division three race, ahead of College and High School no less) must be regarded as a victory of sorts too.
On banks of the lake, the respective spit crews cheered their own rowers and gently mocked those of their opponents.
It should be said that "spit crew" isn't as gross as it sounds – the name comes from their positions on the so-called spits on the bank of Lake Wendouree which flank the finish line.
The St Pat's boys were among the first to arrive, complete with a brass band, while Grammar, College and High School arrived shortly after.
The appearance of the Loreto girls, sporting the odd Viking helmet, a megaphone and an unfortunate number of whistles, sparked what might soon become the fiercest off-water rivalry even if Loreto and St Pat's will likely never compete against one another on the rowing course.
It was treble versus bass in a cacophony that may have melted the airs of any adults unfortunate enough to be in the middle.
"This is amazing. It is the best feeling"
Regardless of the noise generated on the eastern bank, when it came to the main events – the open division one boys and girls Head of the Lake races – all the celebrations were across the other side, as Grammar turned the table on the High School in the boys and College went back-to-back in the girls.
"This is amazing. It is the best feeling," said Ballarat Clarendon College girls' captain Lucy Joyce.
"We're all fresh up from other crews in the firsts. We just wanted to do the best we could for ourselves rather than anyone else."