Developing the traditional regatta

I was interested in drawing a comparison between the local and Venetian traditional regattas, the latter being aired recently on the Italian TV stations. I firmly believe that the local spectacle is no less important for Malta than the Palio is for Sienna, the bull run for Pamploma or Valencia's Tomatina in Bunol.

True there is the usual machismo swearing, rule bending and "we woz robbed" protests, but after all that's all part of the character of the event.

The Venetian version, however, does point the way to how traditional regatta can be exploited as a form of cultural-sports tourism. It was, to say the least, massive, and this is one city not a nation, albeit a small one. The Venetians do, however, employ a theme more akin to In Guardia, with spectators encouraged to adopt period dress, for instance. While I am sure there is still its share of colourful language, it is somewhere you could take children, even though some of these athletes are far from being gentlemen rowers.

In Malta there are some vantage points I would trust, others I would avoid like the plague. Additionally, there could be the introduction of a wider catchment of rowing clubs; why not a team from Qormi? Crazy? Well it is traditional regatta we are talking about. How else do you think wheat travelled up the valley from Marsa? The Venetians also swell their event by having female classes. Remember, these women are virtually semi-professional, rowing over far greater distances than our Maltese men row now, and often better.

This might help to eliminate the machismo cult, enlarging the fleet and possibly doubling the number of events.

The delays between events in Grand Harbour have often been a source of criticism, and while the Venetians' greater distances help them, they organise events to start a race before another has finished which helps to keep things flowing and a sporting tension throughout. However, it has to be said it can not be expected to be a tourist draw if the main marina on the island is closed on the same day - that was without doubt an own goal.

If we can't encourage female participation, something the IOC and our own MOC and KMS are keen to see happen in all sports without exceptions, how about reviving traditional classes like the Gigs which used to be included and other pulling boats to expand this event.

After all this is the only way that the regatta can grow. Over the years several prominent rowers have expressed a wish to get into Olympic class shells and skulls. They could follow the canoe federation's example and invest in a modest fleet and experience, but sadly they are still waiting for an Olympic boat to drop out of the sky.

As a coach for an Olympic discipline I feel that there are deeper issues involved. Clearly, simulation training and a few months on the water can never match the dedication needed to become a competitive world class athlete, training 24/7 on the water to hone competitive skills to a fine pitch. Maltese regatta will never be able to promise Olympic medal hopes in its present form, but that is not to say that it shouldn't be nurtured and encouraged towards a positive goal. Why shouldn't Maltese regatta rowers be encouraged to compete in Venice (and vice versa), and if not there, there are other overseas pulling boat events that are growing in popularity.

Our participation in these events will put Malta on the rowing map, as canoeing has done in a much shorter time frame with less than 10 per cent of the resources of most regatta clubs. In doing so Maltese rowers will bring back their competitors and traditional regatta fans to Malta, one of the finest vistas for a historical harbour and a true home of the traditional wooden racing boat.