Scotch College Adelaide to host the 102nd annual SA Schools’ Head of the River Regatta

Scotch College Adelaide is proud to host the 102nd annual SA Schools’ Head of the River Regatta this Saturday 16 March on the Alex Ramsay Regatta Course at West Lakes.

The 2024 Head of the River regatta promises to be one of the largest of all time, with a massive 46 scheduled races packed into the day, contested by over 1,200 Year 8-12 students from 15 South Australian schools.

The Head of the River is one of the great traditions of school sport. Mr Trent Driver, Principal of host school Scotch College Adelaide, was quick to note that the regatta transcended the school sporting scene and is regarded as “a significant part of Adelaide life, bringing a community together."

The regatta is also proudly a beacon of coeducation and is one of the few sporting events in the country where both the Boys and Girls First VIII Finals are regarded as the pinnacle races of the event: a co-main event in the truest sense.

Racing commences at 8:30am on Saturday morning before culminating with the Schoolboys First VIII Final for the Gosse Shield at 1:05pm, and the Schoolgirls First VIII Final for the Florence Eaton Cup at 1:20pm.

The First VIII finals will be close. Phil Mangelsdorf, Rowing SA President said:

“Seymour are defending their 2023 Schoolgirls title and have won the most races this season. They’ll be hard to beat. Wilderness is the likely challenger, Scotch is not far oA the pace, and Unley High have improved steadily across the season.

Saint Peter's won Schoolboys last year, and the recent State Championship by less than a second from Prince Alfred College. We should see a close race with Scotch likely to be right up with the leaders, and the improving Pembroke crew are also a threat.”

The 2024 SA Schools Head of the River Regatta is sponsored by the University of South Australia.

Supporters can follow SA Schools Head of the River Regatta on Instagram (@headoftheriversa_schools) and Facebook (@headoftheriversa), or visit www.saheadoftheriver.com/hor24 for the latest news, updates and results.

The Heads of the Rowing Schools gratefully acknowledge the support of Rowing SA Volunteers in their roles as Boat Race Officials, boat drivers and other regatta duties. The success of the Head of the River is in large part due to the time and commitment given by these officials.