Head of Schoolgirl’s Regatta to be held in Geelong despite Barwon River algae outbreak

A prestigious rowing regatta will go ahead in Geelong after Rowing Victoria revealed favourable test results.

Rowing Victoria has given the all clear for The Head Of Schoolgirls’ Regatta to go ahead this weekend. Picture: Alan Barber.

One of Victoria’s most prestigious rowing events will be held on the Barwon River despite an algae outbreak and official advice to avoid to all contact with the water.

Rowing Victoria (RV) confirmed the Head of Schoolgirls’ (HOSG) event would proceed after issuing a statement that said the latest tests found the level of blue green algae (BGA) had “decreased considerably”.

“With the improved water quality, reduced temperature and the introduction of rainfall, we are comfortable to proceed with the 2024 HOSG on the Barwon River,” RV said in a statement.

“We do acknowledge that there are still traces of BGA present in the water and precautions will be in place to mitigate BGA risks.”

It was earlier feared the annual event would have to be relocated to Ballarat’s Lake Wendouree.

The three-day event commences Friday and features teams from more than 50 schools across the state, generating significant economic activity across Geelong.

Following the release of RV’s statement, the Corangamite Catchment Management Authority (CCMA) said tests conducted on Tuesday found high levels of BGA remained.

It has advised the public to avoid any contact with the water.

“The decision to proceed with an event on the Barwon River through Geelong has been made by event organisers,” a spokeswoman said.

“However, the Corangamite CMA’s warning advice remains in place.”

The CCMA does not have the authority to cancel the HOSG.

Contact with BGA can cause skin rashes, eye and ear infections, vomiting and diarrhoea, mouth ulcers, sore throat and asthma symptoms.

Indirect contact can cause skin irritation, sore eyes, ears and nose, mild respiratory systems, asthma and anaphylactic reactions in susceptible people.

Rowers have continued to use the river for training, which Geelong College’s director of rowing Andrew Richardson said was within RV guidelines to do.

The guidelines dictate that rowing is not considered a “primary contact (in water) recreational activity,” however RV concedes there is “a heightened health risk to a participant(s) in the event of boat capsizing or unintentional misadventure”.

RV guidelines do not allow “high risk participants” such as juniors and beginners to row during algae outbreaks.

A relocated regatta would have affected the structure of race day, with open crews forced to race over 2km to ensure “safe and fair starts,” with safe starts over 1.5km unachievable at the Ballarat venue.

Originally published as Head of Schoolgirl’s Regatta to be held in Geelong despite Barwon River algae outbreak