RMB Buffalo Regatta takes over East London

The RMB Buffalo Regatta took over East London this past weekend.
Attracting 800 athletes from around the country and hundreds of spectators.

What makes the RMB Buffalo Regatta prestigious.

It was the 132 Buffalo Regatta, but the regatta is 140 years old having missed a few years due to World War 1 and World War 2. It really is something special to think that this iconic sporting event is the oldest running sporting event in the country.

Athletes have to contend with the infamous East London wind and the changing tide. This makes every race different and challenging.

The Grand Challenge and Silver Sculls Trophies are massive, attracting top athletes from around the country. The trophies have always been won by the RMB National Squad in recent years and Roger Barrows the head coach of the RMB National Squad sent 2 Heavy weight mens quads and 3 heavy weight mens sculls down to East London to fight it out and keep the trophies in the RMB National Squad.

The regatta kicked off on Thursday 14 February as athletes did their best to qualify for Saturdays Finals. It was hot, no wind and the water was like glass, making it fair and enjoyable racing for all.

Friday the 15th February is no rest day as athletes take part in the Selborne Sprints with a 500m sprint putting on a show for spectators.

Saturday the 16th February was the big day, kicking off with the RMB National Squad taking to the water in the early hours of the morning preparing for the big race.

The day was filled with exciting racing but everyone had their eyes on the big races.

The Silver Sculls race was exciting as 3 of the RMB National Squad athletes battled it out, Thabelo Masutha took home the trophy while LucDaffern came in second and David Hunt came in third place.

The Grand Challenge was a big race as the tension built with the two RMB National Squad teams, both training for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics giving their best shot at winning the Grand Slam trophy.

RMB National Squad took first and second place. Jake Green, Kyle Schoonbee, John Smith and Bradley Betts walked away in first place, while Lawrence Brittian, Sandro Torrente, Charles Brittian and Mzwandile Sotsaka, took second place.

It really is a treat for athletes and spectators to see the RMB National Squad in action.

Congratulations to all the athletes that took part and thank you to the RMB Buffalo Regatta organising team for putting on a great regatta.