Nine rowers made the cross-state journey for the two-day event, which was condensed into a single marathon program due to low entries.
Athletes faced shifting conditions across both the 1000-metre and 750-metre courses, with rain, wind, and occasional bursts of sunshine providing an added layer of challenge.
Strong start sets the tone
The opening event saw Corowa’s A-Grade women’s quad of Sommers Hogan, Imogen Wragge, Phoebe Packer, Eily Taylor, and cox Edie Tomlinson power to victories over both distances. For Hogan, the regatta marked her first club race since representing Victoria, and the crew’s polish and strength were on full display.
In the Masters single scull, Julie Underwood continued to prove why she is among the best in her category, overcoming handicap starts to comfortably claim wins in both races.
Tightly contested junior and senior races
Racing in her final event as an U17 athlete, Eily Taylor delivered a gutsy performance against a strong Hamilton sculler, finishing second but showing impressive improvement over the shorter 750-metre course.
The seasoned duo of Liz Sandow and Susie Scott braved a downpour in the C-grade double scull, pushing through the weather to notch two convincing wins.
Corowa’s depth shone through in the women’s quad as well, with Phoebe, Grietje, Liz and Eily, again coxed by Edie, winning a thrilling 1000-metre race by two lengths. A later crew reshuffle brought Imogen into stroke for the 750-metre edition, where the Corowa boat held strong in a tight four-crew finish to claim another victory.
Emerging talent impresses
Young sculler Marcus Davies produced one of the day’s standout efforts. Competing in the U15 single for the first time on Hamilton’s windy lake, he won his heat before finishing second in a strong final. Marcus later returned for an afternoon straight final, lifting again to secure a well-earned win.
He then stepped up into the C-grade single, winning his heat in a photo finish. Unfortunately, a buoy strike in the final ended his 1000-metre challenge, though he backed up with a determined third place over 750 metres.
Masters crews continue winning form
The women’s Masters quad of Julie, Susie, Grietje and Liz, with Edie steering, handled the worsening weather superbly to collect wins in both distances.
Underwood and Grietje then combined in the Masters double, extending the club’s tally with two further victories.
A-Grade standouts and late-day success
The A-Grade double of Sommers and Imogen delivered a commanding 1000-metre win before Phoebe stepped in to partner Hogan for another polished 750-metre victory.
In the single sculls, Sommers and Phoebe took the top two places over 1000 metres, with Hogan again taking the win. Sommers backed it up over 750 metres, winning ahead of teammate Imogen in a strong showing that bodes well for post-Christmas racing.
Taylor added to her growing résumé with two determined wins in the C-grade single, showing clear development across the day.
The final event saw a lively mixed double pairing of Sommers and Marcus, who combined superbly to collect Corowa’s last two wins of the regatta.
Looking ahead
The club thanked athletes and families for making the long trip to support a regional event that plays an important role in developing competitive experience.
Racing in difficult lake conditions, coach and officials said, provided valuable preparation ahead of the Victorian State Championships in Ballarat in late February.
Corowa now turns its focus to the MRA Regatta at Lake Moodemere on January 10–11, followed by the club’s Annual Santa Regatta on Sunday, December 21.
New members are welcome — training runs Monday to Thursday from 4:30 pm and Sunday mornings at 9am.
