Regatta Update: Calendar & Age-Based Racing

2024 Regatta Calendar Now Live

The 2024 Regatta Calendar has been finalised and is available to view at https://rowingmanager.com/wa/.

If you would like to revisit past-season regattas please select a different year by clicking the 'Season' tab on the top right hand side of your screen. 

Key Dates:

Australian Rowing Championships - 18th to 24th March 2024

PSA Head of the River - Saturday  23rd March 2024

Masters State Championships - Sunday 28th April 2024

IGSSA Head of the River - Saturday 22nd June 2024

State Indoor Championships - Saturday 13th July

All Schools State Championships - Saturday 10th August 2024

Pennant State Championships - Saturday and Sunday 14th and 15th September

Age-Based Racing

Rowing WA is set to undergo a significant change in the upcoming 2024 rowing season as it transitions from the traditional grade-based racing system to an age-based regatta structure for all pennant regattas including head races. This move, endorsed by the RWA Board following a recommendation from the Competitions Committee, aims to address fairness and competition challenges associated with the existing system. The change will be implemented as a two-year trial.

After conducting a trial in 2023 with a single age-based regatta, the Competitions Committee has recommended a two-year trial for age-based regattas. The decision, officially endorsed at the November 2023 Board meeting, allows clubs and rowers a learning period in the first year and a comprehensive evaluation in the second year.

Despite the shift, Rowing WA is committed to maintaining the existing calendar with minimal alterations for the purpose of comparison.

Next Steps:

To facilitate the transition, Rowing WA will establish a working group to collaborate with clubs in redeveloping and testing regatta programming for the 2024 season using the age-based grading system.

Acknowledging that change can be met with resistance, Rowing WA is dedicated to working closely with clubs to address challenges. Consultation sessions with club representatives will be conducted over the next couple of months to discuss key aspects of this change. This will be discussed at the upcoming SGM with Club Presidents.

The shift to age-based regattas is aimed at enhancing the overall rowing experience and addressing declining participation levels. Rowing WA appreciates the support of the rowing community as they embark on this change.

This move aligns with approaches adopted in other states and is supported by the Western Australian Institute of Sport (WAIS). The objective is to create a more equitable and competitive environment, ultimately improving the sport for all participants.