By Johnathan Paoli
The country’s rising stars in rowing came together over the weekend to compete in the South African Schools Rowing Championships, sponsored by Rand Merchant Bank (RMB).
Hosted at the Roodeplaat Dam outside Pretoria, the event featured over 1500 athletes, making it one of the largest school rowing regattas on the African continent.
The competition marked the culmination of months of rigorous training, with rowers pushing themselves to the limit to claim national titles.
Teams competed across various boat classes in a series of heats, semi-finals and finals, showcasing their speed, endurance and teamwork.
One of the standout performances came from Parktown Boys’ High School, whose Coxless 4 secured a top-eight finish in the A Final.
The crew, consisting of Humaid Timol, Xhanti Mandla, Kagisho Makotanyane and Thandolwethu Mogane, received immense support from their school community.
On the girls’ side, St Andrew’s School for Girls emerged as a dominant force, securing multiple accolades in the best U14 Girls, best U16 Girls, the national champions in the Junior Women’s U19 1st Quad and Doubles as well as being officially crowned the top girls’ school in South Africa.
Meanwhile, Grey High School’s rowers made their mark with strong performances, including a bronze medal finish in the U15 Double by Sam Offerman and Thomas Allen.
Gauteng environment MEC Shyla Peters attended the regatta, underscoring the importance of preserving Roodeplaat Dam’s natural beauty.
Addressing the athletes and spectators, she shared her personal connection to the venue.
“Roodeplaat holds childhood memories for many. Preserving its rich biodiversity ensures future generations can enjoy both nature and sport. Keeping it pristine means events like these will thrive for years to come,” Peters said.
Her message reinforced the intersection of environmental responsibility and sports development, urging all stakeholders to protect the natural heritage of this iconic rowing venue.
The significance of the event extended beyond school rivalries, with RMB sponsorship marketing lead Michael Edwards highlighting how the championships served as a launching pad for young rowers.
“SA Schools Rowing Champs is an annual showcase of the best young rowing talent in the country. It has served as a catalyst for many starting their journey towards the RMB National Squad and international competition. We’re incredibly proud of our partnership with this event,” Edwards said.
The championship ended with a spirited prize-giving ceremony, recognising the outstanding achievements of the young athletes.
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