Damascus to miss Head of the Lake marquee events, Wendouree Ballarat regatta preview

The college has opted against contesting the boys' and girls' main events, to instead focus on developing crews for future regattas.

Damascus rowing director Paul Blanchfield said the school would enter a senior boys' and girls' crew in the head of lake, but was yet to determine which divisions.

"This season's focus is on consolidating our relatively young rowing program and getting strong base to build upon," he said.

"We had a lot of students who chose to seek other sporting opportunities outside of Damascus and we support these decisions."

This year will mark the seventh consecutive Head of the Lake regatta the school has rowed in.

Blanchfield said although some students had explored other sporting opportunities, interest remained strong under the junior ranks.

"We've got four good junior crews down there, which is a very good compliment for Damascus," he said.

"As a school we are looking at ways to build upon that enthusiasm in our junior ranks to consolidate and build our senior ranks in the coming years."

MEANWHILE, a full contingent of Ballarat crews will contest the female schools coxed four open division one at the Wendouree Ballarat regatta on Lake Wendouree this weekend.

In key lead-up to the Ballarat Associated Schools Head of Lake on Sunday, February 23, Ballarat Clarendon College, Ballarat Grammar School, Ballarat High School and Loreto College will take on Toorak College and Wesley College in the 2000m event.

While the line up on the male schools coxed four open division one will be bigger, St Patrick's College is missing.

Ballarat Clarendon, Ballarat High and Ballarat Grammar will go into battle against two boats from the might of Scotch College and four from Xavier College.

As well as head of the lake dress rehearsal for the Ballarat schools, the regatta will give club and school crews from around Victoria an opportunity to get a feel for the Lake Wendouree course in readienss for the state championships at the venue on February 29-30.

Wendouree Ballarat Rowing Club has attracted 1492 athletes who will fill 2467 seats over the two days.

They make up more than 700 entries which will contest 145 events.

Rowing begins at 8am each day.