Rough conditions at 2022 USSA sprints buoy a competitive Wits Rowing Club
- Tshepiso Mametela
The Wits Rowing Club (WRC) laid down an early marker for a successful rowing season by clinching 5th place overall at the 2022 USSA Rowing Sprints Regatta hosted by USSA Rowing and UCT at the Eikenhof Dam from 8 to 9 April 2022.
Taking to harsh waters amid inclement conditions characterised by strong winds, WRC’s men’s and women’s teams braved a competitive field comprising eight competing university teams, including UJ, Tuks and Stellenbosch University, to rake up fifth-place finishes, respectively.
“We have greatly improved since 2019, which is a step in the right direction. We lost to clubs with better financial resources, boats, and facilities,” said WRC president and current USSA-R vice-chair Marco Sass.
Wits finished 6th in the team ergo event after going into the year’s races with a 30 per cent transformation rate. Sass said the university fielded several novices and applauded the group’s preparation ahead of the gruelling tour.
“It was positive to see and experience. As the results show, we competed extremely well in the B division. Although we struggled a little in the A division events, this was partly due to the number of races compromised by poor conditions and national team athletes competing. The tour also had a few other issues that were out of our hands.”
Due to the adverse weather, event organisers made the call to scrap the men’s A double heavy and lightweight, C coxed four and D double events after the safety of the rowers became a concern. The women’s B pair, B quad, B eight, D coxed four and D scull races were also not spared the axe during the two days of competition.
Several WRC rowers were unable to make their starts, with at least two opposing universities sinking their boats on the Palmiet River.
“The cancelled events meant many of our athletes could not go out and race. We came close to sinking three of our boats due to the wind being too strong and creating very high waves, which put water in the boats,” said Sass, who, despite the challenges, praised the outing and labelled it as a step in the right direction.
Wits will now turn its attention to the USSA Boat Race at Rhodes University in Port Alfred on 15, 16 and 17 September, where WRC will hope to mount a stern challenge for top finishes. “The tour provided valuable data and feedback to the coaching staff, who have created a full schedule for the Boat Race in September.
“Our coaches were happy, and we were even complimented by national team coaches on our performances, given what we had and the athletes we fielded. The goal is now to bring a massive performance in the Boat Race. We’re aiming for a fourth-place finish in the men’s races and at least fifth in the women’s events.”
Sports officer for rowing at Wits Sport, Tebogo Rabothata, commended WRC’s recent showing, saying the performance will ensure that the institution is a force to be reckoned with on the rowing circuit.
“I’m happy the club managed to finish in a respectable position considering that we didn’t compete in any official tournament due to 网易体育 challenges last year. We’re looking at building from these results at upcoming USSA competitions.
“This will also be a good motivation to the rowing club going forward, as our aim is to compete and get good results and not merely add to the numbers,” noted Rabothata.
