Mutual and Federal University Boat Race - Port Alfred 2011

Port Alfred Accommodation

Every September the top rowing teams from across South Africa come to the coastal town of Port Alfred to compete in this prestigious event. The Kowie River is the setting for the events with spectators able to watch and cheer from along the river bank. Thousands of students from the competing universities come along to cheer on their respective teams with Rhodes University from Grahamstown making up the largest contingent of students. The students that come along to watch all dress up in their respective colours creating a wonderful spectacle. Fans paint their faces and dye their hair and generally have a great time letting their hair down in the many bars that stay open late for them in the evenings.

The rowing starts on the Thursday with heats to eliminate the various teams with the Finals taking place on the Saturday. Many parents come along to watch their children compete and to enjoy sitting at the restaurants along the river bank while the teams row past. The atmosphere is extremely good natured with plenty of high spirits among the students. As you can imagine with students on either side of the river bank it is not long before some of them decide to swim across the river between races. Fortunately the NSRI are close by to ensure that noone gets into any trouble and play an important part in providing a safe event across the 3 days. The mens and womens eights finals generally take place after 3pm on the Saturday with large crowds watching from the sides.

Nine Universities are taking part in this years Inter-Varsity Rowing Regatta with lots of events being organised around the races. The rowing can be watched from the sides of the Kowie River with races starting from the Ski Boat Club in Port Alfred. The Lounge Bar, on the other side of the river, will be offering live coverage of the event via big screen TV's and is also offering secure parking. Throughout the regatta food and drink will be available from the Old Tides Building close to the Lounge. Slightly further down the Kowie River the MyPond Hotel and Barmuda will also be putting on specials for students. These are great places to watch the rowing from again.

If you are thinking of going to the event this year which takes place 13th September 2012 to 15th September 2012 it is important to try and book your accommodation early as the guest houses and hotels get booked up very quickly.

Results from 2010 SA Universities Boat Race
Mens Winners - University of Pretoria (Tukkies)
Womens Winners - University of Johannesburg

Hopefully the weather will be better this year with crews having to contend with very strong winds in 2010 which made conditions very difficult especially for the finals.