Five gold, thirteen silver and eight bronze medals added up to “seventh heaven” for athletes from the Griffith University Surfers Paradise Rowing Club (GUSPRC) competing in the 7th annual Paradise Regatta at Coomera Waters.
A record contingent from southeast Queensland universities, schools and clubs took part in this year’s event, with GUSPRC eventually finishing fourth on the medal table behind top-placed University of Queensland.
Among Griffith’s top competitors, Jessica Evatt-Davey won gold in the Women’s Single Scull and followed that with gold in the Double Scull, rowing with Nicole Constable.
Sean Carolan and Jackson Smith won the Men’s Double Scull.
Senior Deputy Vice Chancellorat Griffith University, Professor Ned Pankhurst, said he was delighted with the growing popularity of the event.
“The Griffith regatta goes from strength to strength and it is fantastic to see more than 200 competitors from schools, clubs and the elite university rowing squads competing,” he said.
“This is our second year at this venue and it confirms the choice and we are delighted at how well it meets the needs of competitors, coaches and, of course, the spectators.”
Griffith Sports College Head Coach (Rowing), Mr Lincoln Handley, said the performances of the Griffith rowers augured well for future competitions.
“Whereas University of Queensland was able to boat crews featuring ahandful of past and present Australian team representatives, both the Griffith men’s and women’s boats had students competing for the first time outside of school age competition,” he said.
“Griffith and the Student Guild have been very supportive of the regatta and the Griffith Rowing program andthere is a belief among our students that they have the capacity towin.
“Within a year ortwo, I think Griffith can wrest the titlefrom UQ.”