History of the
race categories
Over the years the race categories have grown, and some of the definitions have changed. This page seeks to explain what the race categories meant.
1980's - 1996
(from the 1996 program)
Men's Open: Open to all 8 oared crews
Men's Intermediate: Open to all eight oared Club crews of which not more than two members may be Senior C oarsmen as defined in the rules of the Victorian Rowing Association
Schoolboy A: Public School 1st and 2nd eights compete in this section, Metropolitan State Secondary College 1st eights compete in this section
Schoolboy B: Open to Public School 3rd and 4th eights, Metropolitan State Secondary College 2nd and 3rd eights and Country State Secondary College 1st eights
Schoolboy C: Open to Public School 5th and 6th eights, Metropolitan State Secondary College 4th and 5th eights and Country State Secondary College 2nd and 3rd eights
Schoolboy D: Open to Public School 7th and 8th eights, Metropolitan State Secondary College 6th and 7th eights and Country State Secondary College 4th and 5th eights
Schoolboy E: Open to Public School 9th and 10th eights and beyond
Men's Veteran A: Open to retired oarsmen 30 years of age and over
Men's Veteran B: Open to retired oarsmen 46 years of age and over
Men's Veteran C: Open to retired oarsmen 56 years of age and over
Ladies Open: Open to any female crew comprising eight oarswomen. Crews may be composite provided no more than two clubs/schools are involved
Schoolgirl A: Open to any school or student female eight oared crew up to and including Year 12
Schoolgirl B: Open to any school or student female eight oared crew up to and including Year 12, but excludes an oarswoman who is no longer eligible to row as a novice
Ladies Veteran: Open to non-competitive oarswomen 30 years of age or over
Open Mixed Eights: Open to eight oared crews consisting of four men and four women
1997 -
(from the 1997 program)
Men's Open: Open to all 8 oared Club crews - composite crews permitted - maximum 3 clubs
Men's Intermediate: Open to all eight oared Club crews of which not more than two members may be Senior C oarsmen as defined in the rules of the Victorian Rowing Association - composite crews permitted - maximum 3 clubs
Men's Novice: Open to all male novice eight oared Club crews as defined in the rules of the Victorian Rowing Association. No composite crews
Schoolboy A: Public School 1st eights compete in this section
Schoolboy B: Open to Public School 2nd and 3rd eights. State Secondary (Metropolitan and Country) School 1st and 2nd eights compete in this section
Schoolboy C: Open to Public Schools 4th and 5th eights. State Secondary (Metropolitan and Country) School 3rd and 4th eights compete in this section
Schoolboy D: Open to Public School 6th and 7th eights and beyond. State Secondary (Metropolitan and Country) School 5th and 6th eights compete in this section
Men's Veteran A: Open to retired oarsmen average 35 years of age and over with a minimum age of 30 years. Composite crews permitted - maximum 3 clubs
Men's Veteran B: Open to retired oarsmen 45 years of age and over. Composite crews permitted - maximum 3 clubs
Men's Veteran C: Open to retired oarsmen 55 years of age and over. Composite crews permitted - maximum 3 clubs
Ladies Open: Open to any female crew comprising eight oarswomen. Composite crews permitted - maximum 3 clubs
Ladies Intermediate: Open to all eight oared Club crews of which not more than two members may be Senior C oarsmen as defined in the rules of the Victorian Rowing Association - composite crews permitted - maximum 3 clubs
Ladies Novice: Open to all female novice eight oared Club crews as defined in the rules of the Victorian Rowing Association. No composite crews
Schoolgirl A: Open to any school or student female eight oared crew up to and including Year 12
Schoolgirl B: Open to any school or student female eight oared crew up to and including Year 12, but excludes an oarswoman who is no longer eligible to row as a novice
Ladies Veteran: Open to non-competitive oarswomen with an average of 35 years and over. Minimum age 30 years. Composite crews permitted - maximum 3 clubs
Open Mixed Eights: Open to eight oared crews consisting of four men and four women. Composite crews permitted - maximum 3 clubs