Rowers from Ballarat clubs climbed to the top of the podium after prevailing over Olympic distances at the Ballarat Regatta.
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Ballarat City teenager Hugh Bond emerged victorious in the male under-17 single scull 2000-metre, before teaming up with Tom Foley to win the male under-17 double scull over the same distance.
Meanwhile Ballarat High's Kaitlyn Gatacre, Jenna McCartney, Nicole Sims, Tara Jones and Tanika Smith earned bragging rights for their school after edging out Ballarat Clarendon in the 2000-metre female school coxed four open division 1.
Brighton Grammar's Charlie Clarke, Jakub Williams, Joshua Bortolussi, Harrison Kirkham and Charlie Durkin claimed same honour in the male division.
The events marked just some of the 90-odd races held across the day - many of which counted toward state and national selection.
Official umpire Bill Webster said the regatta marked the first hit-out of the year from many clubs coming off earlyoseason training camp.
"For those people going for selection it's a compulsory regatta," he said.
Hundreds of rowers from across Victoria converged on Lake Wendouree to take part in the event on Saturday.
The regatta, held once a year, marked the first opportunity for many of the state's elite rowers to showcase themselves over the Olympic distance of 2000 metres.
"Over the season there isn't a lot of opportunities to showcase themselves over 2000 metres, and this event offers that," Webster said.
Competitive rowers aged 17 and up, as well as grade and underage rowers took to the water over the course of the day - many in a bid for national selection.
Ballarat City enjoyed victories in the 1000-metre male C and D-grade single scull, as well as the female D-grade double scull.
St Patrick's College also polled well for Ballarat, taking out first and second place in the 1000-metre male C-grade pair event, as well as victories in the 1000 metre male C and D-grade coxed four.
Ballarat Clarendon triumphed in the female C-grade eight event.
Melbourne University claimed first and second place in the the male 2000-metre under-21 coxed four, edging out Brighton Grammar.
Melbourne University also won the female event over the same distance, edging out Mercantile and Ballarat High.
Webster heaped praise on organisers and participants of the event, which enjoyed increased numbers despite the high threat of poor air quality.
"Ballarat council have done a great job getting the facility up to scratch and keeping the course in good condition," Webster told The Courier.
