Lake Wendouree will now be the host venue of the 2022 Australian Masters Rowing Championships.
The Championships were originally scheduled to be staged at Perth's Champion Lakes, but due to Western Australia's ongoing border closures and the evolving Omicron situation, Rowing Australia has rescheduled the event to Ballarat.
The Masters Championships, which draws competitors aged 27-plus, will be held on the weekend of May 19 to 22. This timing is opportune for Ballarat as it coincides with the opening of the Ballarat Heritage Festival.
Lake Wendouree is well versed at hosting major national and international events. After presenting the Melbourne 1956 Olympic Games Rowing Regatta, the Lake has welcomed competitors from Australia and across Victoria with hosting multiple state regattas. In 2012, Ballarat hosted the Australian Masters Rowing Championships followed by the World Rowing Masters in 2014.
City of Ballarat Mayor, Cr Daniel Moloney said hosting the Masters are a great reward for efforts made to establish Lake Wendouree as an international standard rowing venue.
"Regattas such as the Australian Masters Rowing Championships not only promote Lake Wendouree as an ideal sporting venue, but they also inject economic activity to our city," he said.
"Ballarat has one of the most enviable sporting events calendars in the country. From major cycling tournaments to AFL, rugby and soccer matches, our city has truly become a leading sporting destination."
"This national regatta makes a fantastic addition to the calendar, and I would like to congratulate everyone at Rowing Australia, Rowing Victoria and City of Ballarat for turning around this event with such short notice."
The Rowing Australia Website and Australian Masters Rowing Championships Facebook Page will be updated regularly with event entry information. Please visit these channels for information.
