ROWERS from the Hamilton Rowing Club (HRC) and The Hamilton and Alexandra College (THAC) converged on Dimboola last weekend for the 132nd Annual Dimboola Sprint Regatta.

Eight rowers from HRC were among 200 athletes to compete in 71 events, with the Male Masters Quad Scull opening Saturday competitions for the club with Alan Clarence, Aaron Skinner (Nestles, Dennington), Darcy Walker, Steve Hrast and coxswain, Eliza Millard, sprinting to the finish on clear water against Richmond and Argonauts, with a competitive 8.51-second lead.

The crew went on to compete in the Male C Grade Quad scull, unable to take line honours to progress, placing second behind Melbourne Argonauts.

The competition heated up with times improving quickly by mid-morning, with the HRC female quad unable to progress in their heat against Essendon.

The crew of Kerri Ross, Debbie, Katelyn and Eliza Millard, coxed by Rachael Millard, finished nine seconds off the pace with a nail-biting dash to the line ahead of THAC’s first crew.

Debbie and Eliza Millard were unable to score a second gold for the day, finishing second in the double scull heat behind Mercantile, van Wijngaarden and Fettig-Winn.

The Hamilton and Alexandra College (THAC) campaign opened with young sculler, Olivia Rees, debuting on the river.

Rees overcame nerves to finish third behind home course favourite, Tori Menzel, and Female Under-17 Single scull winner, Ariel Van Der Poll.

It was a strong heat in the Female Under-17 Quad Scull, with THAC junior crews going head-to-head down the 750m course.

Coached by Paul Mould, the crew of Millie Mould, Sophie Hill, Hannah Wilson and Claudia Cochran and coxed by Adam Wilson were successful ahead of Pheobe Baker, Molly and Minnie Walker, Jemima Koch and coxed by Jake Alexander.

Despite their best efforts, THAC’s Senior Girls Double Sculls and Senior Boys Quads were unable to overcome strong competition to finish their campaigns early.

The second success came in the Mixed Quad Scull with the crew of Hugo Dabernig, Olivia Rees, Minnie and Ben Walker, coxed by Adam Cameron enjoying a strong outing.

An enjoyable finish to Saturday’s campaign for the crews, with rowers now looking ahead to the Hamilton Regatta in three weeks' time.