Emma Pritchard

 There will be no rowing gently down the stream this weekend when the Grafton Rowing Club 2020 Regatta is held on December 6.
Close to 120 competitors from 14 clubs will compete in 35 events including single skulls, double skulls, quads, and open skulls, transforming the waters of the Clarence River into a fast-paced racetrack.
President of the Grafton Rowing Club Michael Collins is eagerly looking forward to the event, especially given the disruptions the Covid-19 pandemic has caused the sport and the local club this year.
Following the unfortunate cancellation of several earlier events, including the Head of the Clarence River Rowing Regatta, which is traditionally held before the annual regatta, Mr Collins is anticipating a good turn out on Sunday and is expecting competitors to bring their A game.
“It’s a significant annual event which brings people and competitors together and it highlights what a great sport rowing is,” he said.
“We have rowers from Port Macquarie, Armidale, Murwillumbah, Lismore and Brisbane coming to compete against the locals, who I’m sure will be very competitive.
“This will be the third regatta of the season, usually there are seven, but unfortunately things have been very different this year and we’ve had to adapt.
“The annual regatta helps us to raise money for our local rowing club which we use to pay for shed maintenance and upkeep and we’re all very pleased that its going ahead.
“It’s one of our biggest events of the year and it’s great that it’s been so well supported.”
The Grafton Rowing Club 2020 Regatta will commence at 8:30am.
Spectators are limited to 500 people due to Covid-19 restrictions and will be required sign in at a registration tent upon arrival. 
Mr Collins said the club is also encouraging new members to join and give the sport a go.
“You get as much out of it as you put in,” he said.
“The Grafton Rowing Club is a great club to be involved in and we love getting our name out there and promoting it within the community.”
If you would like to join the Grafton Rowing Club or watch the regatta, head to the river end of Prince St on Sunday.