Saturday’s Bendigo Rowing Regatta forms part of Rowing Victoria’s 2016-17 race series and will provide an opportunity for emerging competitors to showcase their talent to Rowing Australia and Victoria Institute of Sport scouts.

Bendigo Rowing Club president Peter Morison expects a number of Bendigo crews to be in medal contention.

“Our young male coxed quad scull crew of Shane Downie, Steve and Robert Van Der Graaf and Liam Rea are training strongly and should be very competitive,” Morison said on Friday.

“The crew is coached by Dennis Nihill, who recently represented Bendigo in the 2016 World Rowing Masters Regatta in Copenhagen.

“Also, our female coxed scull crew of Letita Spicer, Tess Forrest, Georgia Spiers and Hollie Thwaites are very fast over the distance and likely to test more fancied metropolitan crews.”

The annual Bendigo Rowing Regatta is a sprint event that draws competitors from across Victoria. With Lake Weeroona full, race times are expected to be fast.

“We’re quietly confident we can make an impact on Saturday. With the right conditions our young crews can compete with the best,” Morison said.

Racing begins at 8pm, with finals scheduled from 3.30pm.

The best viewing is from the Boardwalk Cafe.