Clarendon High School’s rowing team travelled to Makhanda on October 26 to compete in the Settlers Regatta, hosted by St Andrew’s College.
The event featured both high-paced 500m sprints and endurance-testing heads races, where Clarendon rowers faced strong competition from local rivals, DSG, and other schools.
In the morning’s 500m sprints, Clarendon rowers put on an impressive display. In the open sculls heats, Clarendon fielded seven boats, with Sarah Jordan and Alara Henn advancing to the semifinals.
Alara, racing up an age group as an U16, reached the final in a tight race and finished just behind DSG’s top sculler.
The doubles events also delivered thrilling moments, with all Clarendon boats reaching the semifinals. In the C doubles, Stacy Puchert and Sophie Hartwanger took a decisive victory in the final despite difficult weather.
The B doubles team of Alara Henn and Phoebe Coleman powered through to win their division, while Jessica van den Bosch and Sarah Jordan claimed a close second in the A doubles final against DSG.
In the afternoon, rowers tackled longer heads races, with U15s covering a 2km course and U16s and opens braving 3km. Boats launched at intervals, making navigation and strategy key on the tight, twisting course. Clarendon’s open quad, coxed by Amyoli Maganise, executed a stunning final turn, surging ahead of Selborne’s quad in the last stretch to claim victory.
Clarendon’s teams swept the heads races in all divisions. The U15 quad, stroked by Eva Kelly, and the U16 quad, led by Phoebe Coleman, each clinched first place.
The open quad, with Holleigh Willis as stroke, rounded out the day with a brilliant win.
Special thanks went to St Andrew’s College for a memorable event and to parents for their unwavering support.
