INTER UNIVERSITIES ROWING REGATTA
The club once again acted as hosts for this annual event which started humbly some 31 years ago with a challenge between University of Cape Town (UCT) and University of the Witwatersrand (WITS) and has grown to a contest between 9 universities with both men’s and women’s divisions.
The Kowie River has not only seen rowing over the last 31 years however as early as 1932 it was actually the home of rowing in South Africa but owing to the war tears it came to standstill and was only revived again 31 years ago when IGI Insurance were the sponsors. This sponsorship was taken over by other insurance companies after their demise until Mutual & Federal became involved and they have sponsored ever since and done a tremendous job.
This year’s event was over 3 days on the 8th, 9th & 10th September.
The men’s event was won by Pretoria University (TUKS) beating Johannesburg University (UJ) by almost a minute. They blew away the likes of Rhodes University (RU) and Nelson Mandela Bay University (NMMU) who practice on a regular basis on the Kowie.
Mr. Ramsay Brierly who I always refer to as the doyen of rowing said of the event – “ It is very unique – the race starting up river among the wildly vegetated river banks and ending in front of the Port Alfred River & Ski boat Club in front of hundreds of spectators.
A great time was had by all and the clubs coffers were once again swelled. A number of pictures follow showing some scenes even two of our members showing off their dancing skills in public after a good couple of ales them being none other than Ben Kember and Karel de Jaeger.