In 2020 Damascus was conspicuous in its absence from the top divisions of the Head of the Lake, but this year it plans to make a big splash with rowers in both boys and girls Division 1 races.
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The school spent much of last year working on its rowing program, including appointing coaches, Matt Ashley for the senior boys crew and Brad Buetel for the senior girls.
Rowing logistics and technical director Paul Blanchfield said the emphasis on the program was already showing dividends.
"We didn't have a division one crews last year, so it's a really big thing to put forward two crews we think will be competitive," Mr Blanchfield said.
"All of the students in the senior rowing program have taken to their training with great enthusiasm. Every chance they've got they've performed really well.
"We're really proud and excited to see how they go in the Regatta."
Mr Blanchfield said the lockdown may have actually benefited the squad with a big increase on the program from the previous year.
"We were concerned it was going to be a challenging time with it in term 3 when you do the recruitment, but as it turns out we recruited 50 per cent more athletes than we did last year," he said.
"There's been a big push from the school leadership to build up the rowing program, putting the right people into the right positions to do the right thing.
"The school leadership has shown a lot of attention to detail.
"We're really excited we can put them forward this year, we're pumped to where this can lead to. Not just who's here, but also who's in front of us, and what can we do as the rowing managers to give them the best experience possible while also thinking about the future."
Senior Girls Crew
I am super excited for Head of the Lake. Our crew has worked hard and really come together over the past weeks. I hope we row to our potential and put in a big effort to make our school proud.
- Olivia Reyntjes - Cox
I'm really looking forward to Head Of The Lake this year, I think it'll be great to get all the schools together again after what has been quite a challenging season. We hope to be strong contenders in the race on Friday. GO DMAC!
- Grace Byrne - Two Seat
Missing on water training due to this 5 day lockdown is really quite hard, although with equipment at home keeping our fitness up has been a priority. Our crew is hoping for a new personal best this regatta.
- Sophie Longmire - Bow
I'm quite excited to see how we do on the big day. For me personally my hopes are to have a good clean race and smash it out the whole way down and not let my nerves get the best of me.
- Lilly Vanderlinden - Three Seat
I'm feeling confident in our preparation for race day, as a squad over the past few weeks we have really worked hard in getting to where we are now with a focus on improvement. The goal for the regatta is to give it our all.
- Jessica Blackmore - Stroke
Senior Boys Crew
We have all had a good rowing season despite the challenges of Covid, and have a positive attitude coming into this regatta. No matter the outcome of this regatta I am very proud of how far our crew has come.
- Georgia Peart - Cox
I'm really looking forward to this years Head of the Lake because its been a hard fought season due to COVID and the boys have put in a lot of work, so really excited to get out there and give it everything.
- Timothy Collins - Stroke
I'm excited for my final Head of the Lake, and I'm ready to give it my all.
- Thomas McKay - Bow
I'm really happy with how our crew has progressed over the season, doesn't matter where we come, I know the boys will give it all they've got.
- Lucas Edmonds - Two Seat
I am feeling great for the upcoming Head of the Lake and I hope that we go out there and do ourselves proud.
- Joshua Matheson -Three Seat
