BENDIGO’S biggest rowing regatta has been hailed a success, with rowers from across the state descending on the city for the annual race.
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More than 100 rowers competed in about 87 races across different age at Lake Weeroona on Saturday.
In what was the first regatta of the Victorian Sprint season, the Corowa Rowing Club and the Barwon Rowing Club’s had successful starts.
Both teams won nine gold medals a piece.
The Bendigo Rowing Club won a total of nine medals on the day, including one gold, which was won by David Fogarty in the male masters single scull event.
Fogarty won ahead of Rutherglen Lake's Paul Somerville and Wentworth's Scott Smith.
Bendigo won a silver medal in the Male C-grade Coxless Pair and a silver in the Male D-grade Coxed Four.
Milly Fogarty was also second in the female under-15 single scull race.
In the female under-17 double scull race, Bendigo finished in second and third place.
Ella Fraser won a bronze medal for her third place finish in the female under-17 single scull event, she was behind Nagambie’s Charlotte Morris and eventual winner Corowa’s Megan Vogel.
The Male C-grade double scull pair and female D-grade double scull pair also won respective bronze medals.
Bendigo Rowing Club committee member Dennis Nihill said it was a fantastic day of racing.
"We had clubs and schools from all over Victoria competing as well as a lot of locals," he said.
"Bendigo did really well, it was a perfect day of racing the conditions were excellent."
Nihill said the feedback he had received from people both participating in the regatta and those who watched were positive.
"Every year we get people saying that Lake Weeroona is a great venue, the conditions are always great and the viewing spots around the lake are also good," he said.
"We have had some good reports."
This year well-known race caller Roger Wilson was also in Bendigo for the event.
The famous caller spent some time calling several of the races.
Nihill said it was a coup for Bendigo.
"He is a renowned called in the racing world, so it was great to see him in Bendigo," he said.
"Overall it was a great day."
As part of the regatta, the Bendigo Rowing Club was also hosting its biggest fundraiser.
Nihill said he didn't know how much was raised on the day, but said the money would be put towards purchasing new equipment for the club.
The next scheduled regatta is in Dimboola on the Wimmera River on November 8.