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2024-25 Pennant Regatta Season

Review Process for the 2024-25 Pennant Regatta Season

Following the 2023-24 regatta season, a comprehensive review was conducted to enhance participation and improve racing opportunities for Pennant rowers. The Regatta Commission has been working diligently to develop a new event schedule for the upcoming season, with several key changes in place for 2024-25.

The review process focused on aligning the objectives of the Regatta Commission with the strategic goals of Rowing in Tasmania. Key considerations included:

  • Growth in participation
  • Participant requirements and satisfaction
  • Efficient use of event facilities, infrastructure, volunteers, and staff
  • Participant safety
  • Financial constraints
  • Enhancing the sport’s profile and protecting Rowing Tasmania’s brand
  • Collaborating with clubs and event partners for smooth event delivery

One of the primary goals was to ensure that all participants have access to competitive and meaningful racing opportunities at every regatta.

Opportunities for All Age Groups

Each regatta session will feature races for all age groups. However, the Commission also addressed the significant drop-off in participation among athletes transitioning from school to clubs. To combat this, several strategies have been introduced, specifically targeting rowers aged 19-25.

To encourage continued participation, new mixed events have been added at the end of Saturday's races. These 1000m mixed events, with a 50/50 gender ratio, are designed to offer a social, less intense racing experience. Athletes can train just 1-2 times a week, emphasizing that rowing can be both a social and competitive sport. The goal is to retain school leavers in the sport by providing a fun and engaging race format.

Combining U21, U23, and Open Events

Due to a lower number of competitors in the 21-35 age range, the U21, U23, and Open categories have been combined to create more competitive and meaningful racing. Athletes will be ranked based on their performance in the last four regattas and seeded accordingly. For instance, an U21 athlete may race against Open athletes if they are ranked highly. However, results will be categorized by age group, ensuring that the top U21 athlete in any division still wins their respective event.

Pennant 1 Regatta and Head of the Huon

The 2024-25 season kicks off with the Pennant 1 Regatta, where every age group will race in each session. Athletes are encouraged to prioritize their boat class for this one-day event. Singles races will be scheduled early in the day to avoid potential weather disruptions, while larger boat classes will be held in the final session.

On Sunday, the iconic Head of the Huon race will take place. This head race spans approximately 8km, starting at the Huon Boatshed and finishing at Huonville Bridge. The race will feature eights, fours, and quads, with crews starting in 60-second intervals. The race is expected to finish by 11am, allowing northern clubs and schools ample time to return home.

Ending the race in Huonville provides a unique opportunity to showcase rowing to the local community and promote the sport more broadly. The event is set to grow in future years, with hopes of attracting both Tasmanian and interstate rowers to this picturesque setting.

Rule Variation for Single Entries

The Regatta Commission, in collaboration with the Umpires Commission, has proposed a trial variation to Rule 12.8. This variation allows crews from a single club or school to participate in an event even if they are the sole entry, though pennant points will not be awarded. The same rule applies to combined events (Opens/U23/U21). For example, a single U21 entry in a combined event would be permitted to race, but no points would be earned.

Clubs and schools will be notified if they are the only entrant in a race and will have the option to amend their entry if earning points is a priority.

 A single entry does not qualify that athlete/crew for entry into the Championship event - that requires competing against crews(s) from another club/school.

The Board has endorsed this trial for the upcoming season, and we hope it will lead to more racing opportunities in age brackets with fewer participants. We will work closely with regatta managers to ensure that single entries are placed in races with competitors of similar boat speeds, providing a meaningful race experience.

We would like to extend our gratitude to the Regatta Commission, as well as Paul Westbury, Neil Stump, Jason Dolbel, and Sarah Black for their hard work and dedication in shaping the upcoming season. Their efforts have been instrumental in enhancing the Pennant regatta experience for all participants.

We are excited about these changes and look forward to another great season of rowing in Tasmania! 

Full programs for all regattas can be found here.