2024 Pennant Regatta Season Overview
Review Process
Following the 2021 and 2022 regatta season a thorough and consultative review was done to improve the participation and racing opportunities for Pennant rowers. This process resulted in a number of key changes to the Pennant regatta season for 2023, including:
- Novice Grade is now D Grade, removing the requirement to move into C Grade after a maximum of 2 years. This also means C Grade rowers can fall back into D Grade if their Rowing Score increases enough.
- Addition of D Grade Double Sculls and D Grade coxed eight (in pennant regattas and State Champs held at Champion Lakes)
- Addition of Masters Events 4- and 4x (depending on regatta type) for Pennant #1-4, not State Champs.
- Addition of U19 Scull for Pennant #1-4, not State Champs.
- Ladder formats are to be utilized for A/B Coxless Pairs and C Grade Single Sculls for Pennant Regattas and State Champs held at Champion Lakes. Ladders are a seeding system whereby the fastest crews from the previous regatta race in Division 1 and so on, at the next regatta. However, pennant points and Grade Score changes will be based on times across all divisions.
- The grade score progression system was revised (see below). Grade scores will be locked for the remainder of the season after Pennant #2 to allow crews to prepare for State Championships
- Substitutions - If a crew member needs to be scratched (on regatta day) and the crew member cannot be replaced with the right grade score person the crew can make a substitution and race for time only, not a place.
- Calendar revised: Sprint regattas will kick off the season before building endurance through the head races before commencing the traditional course racing regattas and State Championships
- There will be no medal presentations held after non-Championship regattas. Medals will be provided to the winning clubs to present back at their own sheds. Medal ceremonies will be held at Champion Lakes directly after the State Championships.
- A Coastal Boat Class will be added to the Perth to Fremantle Regatta. (shorter distance)
Seat Fee Caped for Pennant #1, #2, #3 and #4
We are excited to announce several new initiatives for the upcoming 2024 Rowing WA Pennant Regatta Season. After careful consideration and feedback from our rowing community, we will be trialling a seat fee cap for the four Champion Lakes Pennant regattas this season, excluding the State Championships.
The maximum seat fee per athlete will be capped at $44.10, equivalent to three events. This trial aims to provide significant benefits to both athletes and clubs by making costs predictable and manageable. We hope this will allow athletes to better budget for regattas and encourage greater participation. While Rowing WA will see a reduction in revenue, we are optimistic that this will be offset by greater participation, with athletes racing in multiple events.
| Number of Event | Seat Fee |
|---|---|
| 1 event | $14.70 |
| 2 events | $29.40 |
| 3 or more events | $44.10 |
2024 Pennant Season Calendar
Rowing WA pennant regattas during the 2024 season include:
| Regatta | Date | Location | Seat Fee | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RWA Bunbury Big Boats | Saturday 20/04/2024 | Bunbury Inlet | $14.70 | Pennant points sprint regatta with a focus on big boats. Opportunity to make a weekend of it and compete in the non-pennant BRC Eaton Head Race the following day. Pennant Points are up for grabs. |
| RWA Canning Bridge Classic | Saturday 04/05/2024 | Canning Bridge 1000m | $12/24 | Non-pennant points sprint regatta. Racing in 2 self-selected divisions over 1000m. $12 for one event or $24 for as many races as you wish to contest. Entries also open to current non-competitive members. |
| RWA Mettam Head Race | Sunday 19/05/2024 | Canning River Shelley | $14.50 | Time trial, 3km (small boats), 5km (big boats) head race. Pennant Points are up for grabs. |
| RWA Guildford to Garrett Road | Sunday 09/06/2024 | Upper Swan River | $14.50 | Time trial, 6km head race. Pennant Points are up for grabs. |
| RWA Perth to Fremenatle | Saturday 29/06/2024 | Lower Swan River | $14.50 | Time trial, 15km head race. Pennant Points are up for grabs. (Alternative date: 30/06/2024) |
| RWA State Indoor Rowing Championships | Saturday 13/07/2024 | Swan Yacht Club | $15.00 (member) $25.00 (non-member) | Indoor Championships, events over 500m, 1000m, 2000m, and team relays. Pennant Points are up for grabs. |
| RWA Pennant Regatta #1 | Saturday 20/07/2024 | Champion Lakes | $14.70 (max $44.10) | Pennant points regatta. Compete in your pennant grade. A-B race over 2000m. C-D race over 1000m |
| RWA Pennant Regatta #2 | Saturday 03/08/2024 | Champion Lakes | $14.70 (max $44.10) | Pennant points regatta. Compete in your pennant grade. A-B race over 2000m. C-D race over 1000m |
| RWA Pennant Regatta #3 | Saturday 17/08/2024 | Champion Lakes | $14.70 (max $44.10) | Pennant points regatta. Compete in your pennant grade. A-B race over 2000m. C-D race over 1000m |
| RWA Pennant Regatta #4 | Saturday 31/08/2024 | Champion Lakes | $14.70 (max $44.10) | Pennant points regatta. Compete in your pennant grade. A-B race over 2000m. C-D race over 1000m |
| RWA State Championships | Saturday and Sunday 14-15/09/2024 | Champion Lakes | $20.50 | State Championships pennant points regatta. Compete in your pennant grade. A-B race over 2000m. C-D race over 1000m |
Full programs for all regattas can be found here.
Grade Score Reviews
If you feel that your grade score, or the score currently attributed to one of your athletes, should be revised, you can submit it for regrading. Your request will go to the Competitions Committee for consideration but it is not a guarantee that it will be approved. Please use this form: https://www.rowingwa.asn.au/surveys/4686/