The Griffith University men’s eight rowing team has shaken off a 10-year hoodoo to claim bragging rights at this year’s Griffith University Regatta.
The Griffith University Surfers Paradise Rowing Club has beaten Queensland University for the first time at the regatta following a big program on the banks of the Coomera River at the weekend.
According to Griffith Sports College Director Duncan Free, the commanding win by half a boat length augurs well for the Griffith club and the University’s rowing program.
“University of Queensland has been quite strong over the years and we’ve been close a couple of times, but to get up and win on the 10th anniversary of the regatta, and by such a margin, is great for the team,” he said.
“We are still relatively young as a team and we’re still building our program. We’re fortunate enough to now be getting stronger rowers and some great strong school leavers joining us.”
The Griffith University Surfers Paradise Rowing Club men’s eight on their way to winning the Men’s University Challenge in the 2016 Griffith Regatta.
Griffith University Surfers Paradise Rowing Club employs a full-time elite coach, along with an assistant coach to help retain young rowers to continue in this sport ontheGold Coast.”
Mr Free, an Olympic gold medalist who represented Australia in rowing at four Olympic Games, said this year’s regatta drew a strong crowd of spectators to the Coomera Lakes course.
“I think the Rio Olympics has probably put everyone in a bit of a sporting mood, but the sport of rowing is growing in popularity,” he said.
“With Kim Brennan winning gold at Rio for the single sculls, hopefully it will further grow the sport.”
Among the spectators were Griffith University ChancellorHenry Smerdon, Senior DeputyVice Chancellor Professor Ned Pankhurst and Deputy Vice Chancellor (Engagement) Professor Martin Betts, as well as Griffith University Council members and City of Gold Coastcouncillors.
Full list of winners at the 2016 Griffith University Regatta:
Women’s single scull – QueenslandUniversity
Men’s masters double scull – GUSPRC
Schoolgirls single scull – Banora Point
Schoolgirls single scull – Hillcrest
Schoolboys single scull – Varsity College
Schoolboys single scull- Trinity Lutheran College
Schoolboys U16 single scull – Kingscliff
Schoolgirls U16 single scull – St Joseph’s Banora
Schoolgirls U16 single scull – Trinity Lutheran College
Men’s Single scull – Queensland University
Women’s Group 1,2,3 double scull – GUSPRC
Men’s masters single scull (handicapped) – GUSPRC
Women’s masters single scull (handicapped) – Pine Rivers
Men’s Group 4 an 5 single scull – Tweed 2
Men’s Group 4 an 5 single scull- Tweed 1
Men’s Group 4 an 5 single scull- Tweed 4
Schoolgirls year 10 quad scull-coxed – Brigidine College
Women’s Group 4 and 5 single scull — Brisbane and GPS 1
Women’s Group 4 and 5 single scull — Brisbane and GPS 2
Mixed University Eights – Queensland University
Women’s G4 double scull – Tweed 1
Women’s G4 double scull – GUSPRC
Men’s group open quad scull – GUSPRC
Schoolboys year 10 double scull – Trinity Lutheran College
Men’s Group 4 double scull – Tweed
Men’s Group 4 double scull — Brisbane and GPS 1
Women’s Group 1, 2 and 3 coxed four – Queensland University
Schoolgirls double scull – Canterbury
Schoolboys open double scull – Trinity Lutheran College
Schoolgirls year 10 double scull -Trinity Lutheran College
Women’s Group 4 quad scull – Brisbane and GPS 1
Men’s double scull – Tweed Rowing Club
Men’s double scull – GUSPRC
Women’s University Challenge eight – Queensland University
Schoolgirls U16 single scull sprint heat – Trinity Lutheran College
Schoolgirls U16 single scull sprint heat – Varsity College
Schoolboys U16 single scull sprint heat – Kingscliff
Schoolboys U16 single scull sprint heat – Nudgee
Schoolgirls single scull sprint heat – Hillcrest
Schoolgirls single scull sprint heat – Trinity Lutheran College
Schoolgirls U16 single scull sprint final – Trinity Lutheran College
Schoolboys U16 single scull sprint final – All Saints Anglican School
Schoolgirls single scull sprint final – Trinity Lutheran College
Schoolboys single scull sprint – Trinity Lutheran College
Women’s singles scull sprint – GUSPRC
Men’s single scull sprint – GUSPRC
Women’s masters single scull sprint – Pine Rivers
Men’s masters single scull sprint – GUSPRC
Women’s open eight sprint – QueenslandUniversity
Men’s open eight sprint- Queensland University/Commercial
Men’s Group 4 and 5 quad scull – Toowong/Pine Rivers
Women’s masters double scull – Tweed Rowing Club
Women’s open quad scull – GUSPRC
Men’s University Challenge eight – GUSPRC
