Thousands of university students from around the country turned Port Alfred into “party central” at the weekend during the annual universities boat races.
Businesses in the resort town were given a massive out-of-season cash boost as more than 10000 people descended on the area to watch a record number of rowers do battle on the scenic Kowie River during the day – and to party it up at night.
Local businessman Gary McKay said more than 3000 students camped at a specially created tent city on the river bank – complete with bars and DJs – while thousands more stayed elsewhere in the area.
“It is a fantastic out-of-season financial boost for the town and accommodation everywhere was packed.”
McKay said while student campers conservatively spent at least R500 each in the town over the weekend, much more was splashed out by thousands of other people staying in more well heeled accommodation in Port Alfred and the rest of the Sunshine Coast.
“Everything has gone well, it has been very festive.”
McKay said even though there was a lot of “drunk and fall down stuff” happening over the weekend, students had still behaved themselves.
Rowing South Africa president Sean Kerr, who is also trustees’ president of universities rowing, said the iconic event had been one of the best ever this year, despite it not having a sponsor for the first time in years.
“This is the premier race for universities and we had a record 324 rowers entered this year.”
Although racial quotas were in place for boats racing in the B and C divisions of the regatta, Kerr said it was not a criterion in the premier A section where all rowers were chosen on talent alone.
“Black athletes are naturally coming through the ranks.”
According to Kerr, teams like the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Maritzburg campus boasted six black athletes in their women’s eight boat A team, while the University of Johannesburg (UJ) men’s team had three.
Local rowing sensation Athenkosi Hlekani, who cut his teeth on the Kowie River with the award winning Nemato rowing club 10 years ago and now coaches the UJ B team, said he never dreamed he would one day be able to pass on the knowledge he learned to the next generation.
“The sport is really growing in South Africa and there are a lot of black people coming through.
“I was given a chance when I was young and I am now trying to put as much as I can back into the sport.”
Although the universities boat races started as a small two university challenge on the Vaal River in 1980, it kept growing after it relocated to Port Alfred in 1984 and is now the highlight of the annual calendar.
The University of Pretoria men’s team smoked the less fancied Rhodes team by several lengths in the premier A final.
The women’s A final was won by UJ followed by the University of Cape Town. — davidm@dispatch.co.za
Varsity race brings fun and money to Kowie
Businesses in the resort town were given a massive out-of-season cash boost as more than 10000 people descended on the area to watch a record number of rowers do battle on the scenic Kowie River during the day – and to party it up at night.
Local businessman Gary McKay said more than 3000 students camped at a specially created tent city on the river bank – complete with bars and DJs – while thousands more stayed elsewhere in the area.
“It is a fantastic out-of-season financial boost for the town and accommodation everywhere was packed.”
McKay said while student campers conservatively spent at least R500 each in the town over the weekend, much more was splashed out by thousands of other people staying in more well heeled accommodation in Port Alfred and the rest of the Sunshine Coast.
“Everything has gone well, it has been very festive.”
McKay said even though there was a lot of “drunk and fall down stuff” happening over the weekend, students had still behaved themselves.
Rowing South Africa president Sean Kerr, who is also trustees’ president of universities rowing, said the iconic event had been one of the best ever this year, despite it not having a sponsor for the first time in years.
“This is the premier race for universities and we had a record 324 rowers entered this year.”
Although racial quotas were in place for boats racing in the B and C divisions of the regatta, Kerr said it was not a criterion in the premier A section where all rowers were chosen on talent alone.
“Black athletes are naturally coming through the ranks.”
According to Kerr, teams like the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s Maritzburg campus boasted six black athletes in their women’s eight boat A team, while the University of Johannesburg (UJ) men’s team had three.
Local rowing sensation Athenkosi Hlekani, who cut his teeth on the Kowie River with the award winning Nemato rowing club 10 years ago and now coaches the UJ B team, said he never dreamed he would one day be able to pass on the knowledge he learned to the next generation.
“The sport is really growing in South Africa and there are a lot of black people coming through.
“I was given a chance when I was young and I am now trying to put as much as I can back into the sport.”
Although the universities boat races started as a small two university challenge on the Vaal River in 1980, it kept growing after it relocated to Port Alfred in 1984 and is now the highlight of the annual calendar.
The University of Pretoria men’s team smoked the less fancied Rhodes team by several lengths in the premier A final.
The women’s A final was won by UJ followed by the University of Cape Town. — davidm@dispatch.co.za
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