Augusta in big splash

The fledgling Augusta Rowing Club has taken major honours at a recent local regatta.

Margaret River Rowing Club hosted a regatta with Augusta Rowing Club and Royal Freshwater Bay Yacht Club on Saturday, January 23.

It was Augusta’s first appearance in a regatta of this kind with its own boats, thanks to the hard work of many residents in building and funding the town’s two new St Ayles skiffs.

It was a morning of nerves for the Augusta rowers, most of whom did not know one end of an oar from the other three months ago.

But thanks to the dedication of residents Heather Lowe, Pam Winter and Cliff Owen, Augusta took out the men’s and women’s divisions with decisive wins. 

In the veterans’ division, Royal Freshwater Bay crossed the line first, which led to a nailbiting finale in the open mixed event.

With deafening cheers from the big crowd, Margaret River got over the line by a nose, with Augusta a close second.

The crowd was blessed with a beautiful morning on the river and lots of opportunity for first-timers to have a crack.

Augusta Rowing Club is looking forward to welcoming new recruits and the possibility of hosting events.

To get involved, visit augustarowers.org.au.