SPORT
SURGING AHEAD at Head of the River
Great Scot | Issue 173 | 2025
What a race, and what a season!
A huge congratulations goes out to our First VIII, who claimed victory at this year’ s Head of the River on Saturday 22 March. Lachlan, Angus, Edward, Adrian, Joe, Hugo, James, Fletcher, and Sebastian delivered a magnificent performance and successfully reeled in the prestigious title for Scotch College.
The Head of the River is one of the most anticipated events in Victorian rowing and holds the title of the world’ s oldest continuous schoolboy rowing event. First held in 1868 as a friendly duel between Scotch College and Melbourne Grammar, the race quickly amassed substantial interest and by 1871 had welcomed a third school into the running. It has since grown into a full-scale regatta featuring 25 male schoolboy events and 20 female schoolgirl events. In 2025, ten of 11 APS schools competed.
Since 2001, the event has been held on Lake Nagambie, a full-buoyed international-standard course that allows for six-boat finals.
Alongside the outstanding performance from our First VIII, Scotch crews dominated across the board, surging ahead to claim an incredible 10 wins on the day. The Third VIII, all four Year 10 Eights, and the Year 9 Second, Third, Fifth, and Seventh Quads all clinched wins in their respective division finals, making this one of the most successful regattas for Scotch College Rowing to date.
A big thank you goes out to Tom Woodruff( Head Coach) and to our entire team of rowing staff and supporters for their expertise and dedication. Their guidance, alongside the inspiring commitment of our rowers, made this season what it was.
As we wrap up Term 1 and transition into Term 2 winter sports, we say well done to all our rowers. Your focus, discipline, patience and perseverance are to be commended and embody the very best of Scotch College. Here’ s to many more victories ahead!
Although the Head of the River event has endured its share of challenges over the years— flooded rivers, dead heats, disqualifications, and even schools struggling to field a crew— this year perfect conditions set the stage for a thrilling day of racing, and our teams used those conditions to their advantage.
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