Grafton Rowing Club History - 1930s - Rowing on the Clarence

The sport of rowing reached great heights on the Clarence River during the 1930s, with many major regattas and championships races held in the area, along with the emergence of a number of great scullers and rowers.

This clipping from 1934 is an example of the style of articles published leading up to regattas of the time. Several articles like this would appear prior to regattas,
including one listing the handicaps for each event of the day.

Regattas included races for skiffs, sculls, fours, butcher boats and flood boats, as well as races for power boats, aquaplanes and sailing boats and even woodchopping events at some venues. The 1940 Grafton Easter Regatta even had a “Catch the Greasy Duck Contest”!

Many of the rowing races were handicapped, leading to fierce competition and close finishes. Various championship races were also held at regattas on the Clarence, including State, Australian and World Championships.

A number of top scullers emerged on the Clarence during this era, with two of the best being Eric and Percy See.

Grafton Rowing Club History - Page 7

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