By Kaamil Adams
This past weekend, the St Andrew’s College 1st VIII crew took to the waters of the Kowie River in Port Alfred to compete in the prestigious Standard Bank South African Schools’ Boat Race, held on 6 and 7 December.
Despite being a young and relatively inexperienced team, the crew showcased determination and grit in the face of significant challenges during their preparation.
The 2024 1st VIII comprised a dynamic group of rowers. Leading the crew were two senior opens: Alex Herbaut, who made his debut as a senior open, and Josh Herring who returned for his second boat race after playing a key role in last year’s bronze medal performance.
Most of the team were Grade 10 rowers, including Callum McMurray, who also returned from last year’s crew as the instrumental coxswain in last year’s medal-winning effort, as well as Zac Fletcher, Jarryd Mattison, Chris Jarvis, James Jarvis, and Matthew Theron.
Adding youthful energy to the boat was Grade 9 rower Rafael Carrara, the youngest member of the crew and part of the U16 squad.
Despite preparation setbacks caused by exams and the Grade 10s three-week John Jones Fish River Journey, the crew gave a commendable performance. In a fiercely contested D-Final, they secured an 8th-place overall finish against Jeppe High School for Boys from Johannesburg.
The reserves crew, comprised of Grade 9 rowers Jock Estcourt and Thereso Lesese (coxswain), alongside Grade 10 Olona Kamba (who also returned from the Fish River Journey), competed in the Coastal Reserves event against the Inland Reserves. This invaluable racing experience on the Kowie River provided a great
platform for their development and will serve these young rowers well as they progress through the ranks.
The crew received positive feedback from the rowing community for their technical skill and potential. Their hard work and commitment through a challenging period are testaments to their growth as a team. Looking ahead, they are focused on the second half of their season, with preparations for the South African Schools’ Rowing Championships in early March already underway.
A special thanks must go to Mr Ed Goodier, our Director of Rowing, who not only hosted this world-class event as part of the St Andrew’s College rowing program but also played a vital role in guiding and improving the 1st VIII throughout the season. His expertise and dedication have been instrumental in shaping the future of rowing at the school.
We also extend our deepest gratitude to the parents, who not only supported their sons but also worked closely with Mr Goodier to assist in the planning and running of this incredible event. Your involvement, encouragement, and efforts are invaluable, and we are truly grateful for your contribution to the success of the weekend.
Congratulations to the crew and reserves for their efforts and to everyone involved in making this event such a success. The future of rowing at St Andrew’s College is bright, and we look forward to seeing these young men grow and excel in the coming seasons.
Well done, gentlemen!
