Head of the Lake organisers are anxiously awaiting further announcements from Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews throughout the week to see if the event will go ahead as planned on Friday.
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After Friday's statewide five-day lockdown announcement, local sport was put on hold in Ballarat, including the Ballarat Gift, Saturday Pennant lawn bowls and cricket among others.
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Head of the Lake will await its fate, with Chair of of Ballarat Associated School's Rowing and Ballarat Grammar Headmaster Adam Heath hoping the day will go as planned.
"It is our hope to proceed with Head of the Lake as planned, however we will need to abide by all new or additional requirements from health authorities, which we anticipate will significantly reduce spectator capacity," he said.
"We will await further announcements from the Victorian Premier throughout the week, with all participating schools holding the health, safety and wellbeing of our school and the wider community as the absolute priority."
The uncertainty around the regatta after the Premier's announcement comes after DHHS regulations already forced Heath and his fellow headmasters to confirm a host of changes to the traditional Head of the Lake proceedings.
The schedule will be run in reverse, with the Open Boys' and Girls' Division one races kicking off the day at noon and the junior crews finishing off proceedings.
No spit crews will be allowed, however student-athletes will man the north-western side of the spit with a 110-person limit per school, with COVID-safe marshals and toilet facilities available.
Supporters will be placed on the Loreto College side with a 1500-person limit. Security guards will have clickers to manage the supporter numbers and once it hits 1500 it will be one out, one in for the remainder of the day.
All those in attendance will need to QR Code in and sanitise their hands also. A live stream of the event will be made available to all the students, teachers and supporters who are unable to make it there on the day.
Heath says he has great admiration for the students and athletes who have remained positive through such uncertain times.
"I'm in awe of the students who are showing such resilience and positivity and such gratitude for what they can do and their refusing to focus on what's taken from them," he said.
