1926 South Australian Schools' Head of the River
Saturday, 24 April – Torrens Lake:
The 1926 edition of the SA Head of the River was the first regatta where there were several races in the open and underage events. Only St. Peter's College and Adelaide High School crews featured in the regatta in the following events:
- First Eight
- Open Tub Fours (Slides)
- Open Tub Fours (Fixed)
- Open Coxed Pair
- Open Clinker Fours
- Under 15 Tub Fours (Fixed)
- Under 14 Tub Fours (Fixed)
The Mail reported that the weather for the regatta was unpleasant; characterised by "intermittent showers and gusty winds".
The winners of the 1926 SA Head of the River is unclear when comparing sources.
The Mail and other newspapers at the time reported that the First Eight was a very tight race with St. Peter's College winning by just a canvas over Adelaide High School.
However, The SA Head of the River website, as well as past regatta programs, reports that it was a Adelaide High School victory.
The remainder of the page has been reported as a St. Peter's College victory however this information will be confirmed.
First Eight:
The Mail reported the tight race as below:
"Chief interest today was naturally centred in the eight-oar race between the two schools. It proved a fine contest from' start to finish. St. Peter's held a slight advantage at Morphett Street Bridge, which, they shot at a rating of 36. High School were in close proximity, and their stroke struck the water at 34 to the minute. St. Peter's realising that they had a following wind, kept up a nippy stroke and just beat their opponents to the finish by a quarter of a length. It was a magnificent race, and 'wild enthusiasm' 'was manifested by the scholars of the two schools on the banks as the finish was approached."
Organising Committee:
South Australian Rowing Association
Officials:
Starters: Mr. C. A. Gepp & J. Murray
Judges: Mr. R. A. West & Mr. H. Kieselbach
First Eight
1 mile
Time: unknown
Margin: 1 canvas
1st St. Peter's College – Bow: R. S. Correll, 2: A. E. French, 3: D. M. Cudmore, 4: J. N. Smith, 5: G. L. Morris, 6: R. H. Dutton, 7: J. L. Hayward, Stroke: T. P. Hamilton, Cox: R. C. Gosse
2nd Adelaide High School – Bow: C. E. Gregory, 2: C. Kay, 3: N. Reschke, 4: M. A. Hunt, 5: E. Frick, 6: C. R. Coulthard, 7: S. R. Whiting, Stroke: R. D. Nairn, Cox: T. Thornton
Open Tub Four (Slides)
1 mile
Time: unknown
Margin: 3 lengths
1st St. Peter's College – Bow: M. E. Brooks, 2: R. B. Lees, 3: J. N. Bonnin, Stroke: J. H. Johnstone, Cox: R. F. Hooper
2nd Adelaide High School – Bow: W. Brooks, 2: G. Phillips, 3: H. Bown, Stroke: M. Lane, Cox: G. Hutton
Open Tub Four (Fixed)
1 mile
Time: unknown
Margin: 3 lengths
1st St. Peter's College – Bow: W. B. Bells, 2: R. A. Greason, 3: A. H. Magarey, Stroke: A. H. Finlayson, Cox: R. F. Hooper
2nd Adelaide High School – Bow: R. Close, 2: G. Brooks, 3: E. Moore, Stroke: J. Drummond, Cox: M. Gyrst
Open Clinker Four
1 mile
Time: unknown
Margin: 2 lengths
1st Adelaide High School – Bow: C. E. Gregory, 2: R. D. Nairn 3: C. R. Whiting, Stroke: C. R. Coulthard, Cox: R. Thorton
2nd St. Peter's College – Bow: G. L. Morris 2: R. H. Dufton, 3: J. L. Haywood, Stroke: T. P. Hamilton, Cox: R. C. Gosse
Open Coxed Pair
1 mile
Time: unknown
Margin: 1½ lengths
1st Adelaide High School – Bow: C. E. Gregory, Stroke: C. R. Coulthard, Cox: R. Thornton
2nd St. Peter's College – Bow: G. L. Morris, Stroke: R. H. Dutton, Cox: J. W. Durkin
Under 15 Tub Four (Fixed)
1 mile
Time: unknown
Margin: 2 feet
1st St. Peter's College – Bow: W. E. Tucker, 2: C. H. Bourne, 3: R. C. Reynell, Stroke: P. P. Campbell, Cox: J. W. Durkin
2nd Adelaide High School – Bow: L. Coward, 2: J. Drummond, 3: O. Segerlind, Stroke: M. Lane, Cox: C. Hutton
Under 14 Tub Four (Fixed)
1 mile
Time: Unknown
Margin: 1 canvas
1st Adelaide High School – Bow: W. Wisdom, 2: K. Rae, 3: R. Fisher, Stroke: R. DeLaine, Cox: O. Vait
2nd St. Peter's College – Bow: F. Jones, 2: D. Craig, 3: A. C. Douglas, Stroke: H. L. Formby, Cox: R. B. Monfries
Sources
PUBLIC SCHOOLS' REGATTA (1926, 24 April), The Mail (Adelaide, SA: 1912 – 1954), p. 5, Retrieved April 22 2023, from https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/58517389