The St Margaret’s rowing shed secured an historic third consecutive win as overall champion school at last weekend’s BSRA Head of the River.
Held for the first time at Lake Wyaralong near Beaudesert, windy conditions made for a rough start for some of the younger crews, battling a strong southerly and contending with white caps, but ended with near perfect conditions for the First VIII race.
Head of St Margaret’s Rowing Jared Bidwell said while the season had its challenges, with flu and injury marring preparations, the girls produced some of their best performances when it counted most to bring home the Aggregate Cup.
Mr Bidwell said the coveted First VIII race was won by St Hilda’s, who set a blistering pace with an experienced crew, with St Margaret’s placing third in their best race of the season.
“With six new girls in the First VIII boat this year, they rowed extremely well to medal in the final race; we were very proud of them,” Mr Bidwell said.
With six gold, four silver and two bronze medals being awarded to its crews, St Margaret’s took out the Aggregate Cup by 34 points over Somerville House.
Mr Bidwell said this result was indicative of a strong and cohesive shed and a supportive rowing community.
St Margaret’s Old Girl and Olympic rower Maddie Edmunds was on hand to present medals to the crews, serving as a reminder of the school’s rich representative rowing tradition.