The Saltwater Challenge is held annually on the first Saturday of September (subject to confirmation by Rowing Victoria) on the picturesque Maribyrnong River. Quad sculls attest their endurance over the gruelling 4.5 km course, commencing upstream at the Tea Gardens Reserve near Canning Street Avondale Heights and finishing in the straight best viewed from upstairs at the Essendon Rowing Club.

The first Saltwater Challenge held in 2002 saw 21 entries and has grown every year since, with the 2012 event successfully piloting a three bracket format. Recent years entries have included interstate crews, former Olympians, and a strong representation of rowers at all levels from across Victoria.

Each year our regatta is growing larger with a record attendance in 2017 of 132 crews.

Solidarity. Endurance. Determination. Are you up for the challenge?

For the really tough an additional challenge beckons… Could you survive the course three times in one day - competing in all three brackets?

Could you be the fastest crew this year?

Or will your crew take out the biggest winning margin?