The best rowing talent from across the country will descend on East London when the popular annual RMB Buffalo Regatta takes centre stage in under two weeks time.
It will be the 132nd hosting of the event that takes place from Thursday February 14 to Saturday February 16, with the ever popular annual Selborne Sprints Regatta sandwiched between the two Buffalo Regatta days.
As always, the Buffalo Regatta will consist of six- lane sprint racing distances over 1,000 and 2,000m, while the Selborne sprints is a unique sprint regatta held over 500m, that generates enormous excitement in fiercely competitive events
The sprints used to be a schools’ only event, but over the last few years universities and clubs have been getting in on the action, adding an extra level of excitement with some thrilling senior races.
The Buffalo Regatta has been a major highlight on the South African rowing calendar with two magnificent trophies at stake, namely the Buffalo Grand Challenge, for Senior A Coxless Fours and the Silver Sculls, for Senior A Single Sculls.
These two trophies are commonly regarded as the most valuable trophies in SA and are keenly contested by all.
With participants from across SA’s rowing universities, clubs and schools participating,, it is always the women and men of the RMB national squad that add extra excitement to proceedings every year.
“We welcome clubs, schools and universities from around the country taking part in this national event,” said East London Boating Association (ELBA) chairperson Philip King.
“With some members of the RMB national squad attending, the competition for the prestigious Silver Scull and Grand Challenge trophies will be as fierce as ever with exciting rowing taking place over three days.
“The weather is always rather unpredictable, but the challenge is always to “Conquer the Buff” whatever the conditions are.”
This year’s regatta involves more than 1, 000 competitors taking part in about 200 events over three thrilling days of top class rowing action.
A new addition to this year’s regatta will see the The Salty Dog Café based at the ELBA clubhouse, which will keep spectators and competitors well fed.
The café is run by a group of dedicated East London rowing parents to raise funds for rowing in the region.
The regatta has been televised on SuperSport over the last few years, raising awareness of the event and East London as a host city.
The 2018 video clip can be watched at: http://elba.org.za/buffalo-regatta/ and further information on the Regatta can also be gathered from the ELBA site.
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