Building Blocks for Bishops on the Boiling Buffalo!
Image #1: Bishops U16 Quad among the Chaos of Selborne Sprints
The Buffalo Regatta
Buffalo began in 1881 and has been held every year since then, except for an interruption during the war years, and in 2021 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023 the regatta was held for the 135th time. Feared by many a coach, loved and hated by rowers, and a viewing spectacle for parents - Buffalo is an experience.
Naturally, the Buffalo Regatta has been a major highlight on the South African rowing calendar due to the 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 South Africa. Being senior events, it is an awesome opportunity for youngsters to see national rowers compete and hopefully inspire the next generation.
The Buffalo Regatta is split over three days. Heats on Thursday and finals on Saturday. Two kilometers in a steep valley, which cooks with coxes calls, blades clicking, and the yells of umpires and rowers. The shout of "Heads", ringings all day as the cramped venue sees bows and sterns swinging in a small area, seeking the jetty in time for the race, schools calling on their crews, and coaches running around like headless chickens.
The Friday is a 500-meter sprint to the line, the viewer's spectacle the rowers burn and the coaches dread - Selborne Sprints. All heats and finals for all crews on a single day. 6 am to 6 pm - all are exhuasted!
Image #2: Wise Words from Seb Cheminias before the 8's Race
MIC Report - Brad Smith
This last week, 7th-11th February, the Rowing Club took part in the annual Buffalo Regatta, and Selborne Regatta. The heats for the Buffalo Regatta, which is over 2km, are held on Thursday with the finals being raced on Saturday. Between these heats and finals is another full regatta over a short sprint course, 500m, known as Selborne sprints. These heats and finals are done on the same day due to it being a short course. As such it is an eventual tour and packed with a huge amount of racing and excitement.
This year was no different, however, add in consistent rain for 3 of the 4 days that our crews were there. Our Gentlemen had a mixed bag of results which will be given in each report but congratulations must go out specifically to the u16s who won the coxless pair and coxless four in fashionable style. Definitely a highlight of things to come and a result that gave the club a much-needed injection of energy.
Well done to all those crews who participated and took part.
Image #3: Bishops U16 Coxless Marching to the Final
U16 Report, U16 Coach - Christopher Hale:
The U16 age group was able to test their rowing prowess this past weekend on the Buffalo. It was the first time the age group competed against the JHB schools this season and the first time for three of our rowers, Cayden, Christian, and Calum to race at a national event!
Our results were unexpected across the board, a mixture of elation and disappointment. Importantly, I believe the age group performed excellently in the small boats - a test of the athlete's ability to be technically proficient and manage the mental toughness of the race.
Mention goes to these gents, who impressed with their determination and hard work through the season thus far, which shone in the results of the pairs, sculls, and coxless four.
Image #4: Bishops U16 8+ Final Boat Check
| Results | |
| Opens | U16's |
| Selborne Sprints | |
| Coxed Four - 5th 2nd Coxed Four - 6th |
Coxless Four - 1st place Coxed Four - 6th Quad - 4th place Pair - 2nd Eight - 6th |
| Buffalo Regatta | |
| Coxed Four - 4th 2nd Pair - 6th Eight - 6th |
Coxless Four - 1st Pair - 1st Eight - 6th |
Image #5: Bishops U16 2- 'Hanging' Together!
First 8 Report - Brad Smith:
The Buffalo Regatta and Selborne Sprints were tough regattas given that most of the northern schools come to participate. Mix that with rainy weather, less than-ideal sanitation due to said rain, and tough competition. Our goal this year has been to improve, gain confidence, and make A finals. Our seniors have not had the depth of the past which has led to these goals, however, the group of seniors has put their strong foot forward and done their best to achieve these goals. The 8 unfortunately did not make the final in both Buffalo and Selborne sprints, as did the coxless four. Our second coxed four did well to make the final but fatigue and sickness struck at the wrong time. Our first coxed four did immensely well to make both finals of Selborne and Buffalo, having just snuck in due to incredibly fast heats. Although just missing out on a podium I believe that many valuable lessons were learned and the proverbial carrot has been dangled for a possible medal at SA Champs. A feat, given the lack of depth, would be incredible. Well done to all members of the senior group on a tough but resilient tour.
Image #6: Bishops Senior Opens - Jett Bacher, Bradley Calow, Joseph Power, Joshua Traut & Didier Marx