13 January 2026

SA Schools Boatrace is an annual event where rowing schools from around the country descend on Port Alfred to race on the Kowie River. The course is a demanding 5.5 km stretch of twisting, winding water and is the largest changing tidal river in the country.

The format includes a head race, with each crew setting off 30 seconds apart in an order determined by the previous year’s results. Crews race to record the fastest possible time to qualify for their targeted final.

This group began training in May 2025 and quickly developed a strong balance between focus and banter. For Oliver Kane-Smith (OD 2020) and me, it was a privilege to introduce these gents to Boatrace and the unique character of the Kowie. It is a brutal race where no stroke comes easily, and just five days before the event, we completed a mock race in horrendous conditions to prepare.

On Friday, December 5th, Bishop's 1st 8 achieved the 7th fastest time in the heats, qualifying for the D final, only 10 seconds off the B Final in what was incredibly tight racing! This is a significant achievement and a result of which the rowing club is extremely proud. Their performance placed them in a Bish–Bosh D Final, racing for overall positions.

In a hard-fought race, Bishops never gave up, pushing Rondebosch all the way to the finish to secure 8th place overall, an improvement on their 9th-place finish the year before.

Congratulations to these gents, and well done on the immense commitment and sacrifice shown throughout the training period:

Cox – Max Petersen (G11)
Stroke – Jordan Planting (G11)
7 – Max Marshall-Smith (G11)
6 – Kai Bacher (G11)
5 – Ben Davidson (G11)
4 – Nicholas Young (G9)
3 – Finn Moran (G11)
2 – Angus Bromley (G11)
1 – Theo Forsyth (G11)