Sports

From left to right: Kylie Duff, Lachlan Maxwell & Jessica Dawes. Image: contributed

Local rowers take to big pond at QLD State Championships

A small contingent of Lower Clarence Rowing Club members recently travelled north to compete at the 2020 Queensland State Championship Regatta, held at Wyaralong Dam, Beaudesert.

Local rowers, Lachlan Maxwell, Jessica Dawes and Kylie Duff made up the small squad of who represented the Lower Clarence at the annual regatta. The three-day regatta which was run over the long weekend from Friday January 24 to Sunday 26, attracted an array of high calibre athletes, many of whom were vying for national team selection. Conditions for the regatta were extreme with racing postponed due to high humidity. Just about all seasons were present with strong head winds and severe thunderstorms.

Maclean HS student Lachlan Maxwell performed extremely well. At 16 years of age, Lachlan was rowing up in the men’s U19 categories. In his single scull, Maxwell placed a respectable 13th out of 24 scullers. Maxwell teamed up with his Queensland crewmates to place second in the men’s U19 quad scull and 7th place in the championship men’s U19 double scull.

In the women’s championship single scull Kylie Duff placed 10th in the final and teamed up with Jessica Dawes for a 7th place in the championship women’s double scull.

The small team did not detract from a great atmosphere. Proud as punch on the sideline was 93yo Harold Kratz, the coach and general overseer of the LCRC team.

Kylie Duff