1907 PSA Head of the River

The regatta was conducted on Saturday 27th April 1907.

The report of the race in the Western Mail on 6th May  described the very difficult conditions and the desperate finish for minor placings.

The weather conditions early on Saturday last were such as to cause grave doubts as to the advisability of deciding the event on this date. Fortunately, however the day brightened as noon approached, promising a passably fine afternoon, which was justified later. If seemed that the Zephyr offered the best opportunity of witnessing the tussle, and accordingly I made my way on board at the appointed hour, whither had gathered a good number of friends of the contestants, shortly after 3 p.m. we steamed down river to the starting point, which was almost in a line with the two-mile post, and was indicated by two flags placed ashore, giving the required line. 

A large number of spectators had gathered on the terraces of King's Park and other vantage points in the vicinity. The crews for the most part were brought down to the scene of action in various craft, their "fours" being towed down, thus saving the energies that were presently to be called into full play. At the starting point the crews took their seats, received last words of encouragement and advice from coaches and friends, and paddled down to await the orders of the starter.

The wind, which on our setting out had been blowing strongly from the south-west, had moderated somewhat, and at the time of the race the water was not sufficiently rough to seriously hamper the oarsmen. The Zephyr was some considerable distance behind the crews when Mr. Horsburgh sent them away, and this distance, which was never substantially lessened throughout the race, rendered relative positions of crews, etc., matters for conjecture only. Guildford at the start had the station nearest King's Park, next came High School, then Christian Brothers' College, with Scotch College on the outside. 

An even start seemed to have been obtained, and very early in the race Scotch College was seen to be taking the lead, next coming Christian Brothers' College, and then Guildford Grammar School and High School apparently on equal terms. As the race proceeded, the maroons appreciably increased their advantage, but their cox steered wide in the first section of the course, and then for the first time picking up his objective, kept it to the finish, not without having lost, a length or so in the deviation. The Scotch College crew had their boat on an even keel, were rowing good form, and their stroke set a certain uniformity of time of stroke. 

Not so the other crews. Christian Brothers' College, in their endeavours to secure an advantage at the start, set a pace they were unable to keep, and as the vigour of their stroke died down they fell abreast of High School, Guildford occupying fourth position, but showing, nevertheless, in the comparative balance of their boat, greater possibilities for a finishing spurt. Scotch College continued to increase their lead, rowing from the Brewery to the finish in practically uniform 36.  It was very difficult to gauge the stroke of the three remaining crews; at one time a desperate effort on the part of the oarsmen resulted in a 44, to be succeeded by a reaction, recorded by a 33.

After the Brewery had been passed it was evident to eye-witnesses that Scotch College were assured of first place, and interest centred in the great struggle that was in progress tor second honours.