East Gippsland’s pristine waters continue to be an attraction for Melbourne’s top private schools.

This week the Mitchell River has once again played host to Methodist Ladies’ College’s senior rowing team, while at Nicholson and Johnsonville, Caulfield Grammar’s intermediates and senior girls and boys crews have been hard at work preparing for the upcoming city season.

East Gippsland Shire mayor, Cr Natalie O’ Connell, said it was great to see the annual return of the school rowing programs from Melbourne. “For many years Bairnsdale, Nicholson and Johnsonville have been welcoming rowers for their training camps ahead of the school year, and we hope they all have a great experience in our region this summer,” Cr O’ Connell said.

“The schools and rowers visiting is a great endorsement for why our natural attractions and facilities are perfect for fitness enthusiasts and adventure seekers, providing unforgettable experiences.

“We hope the young rowers have a great experience during their stay and plan to bring their families back for a return visit soon.”

Caulfield Grammar has 34 girls and their six coaches staying at the Nicholson River Holiday Camp for training while about 45 boys are located at nearby Johnsonville.

The students spend 10 days rowing as part of their school holidays, which is a requirement of being involved in the rowing teams.

Those that don’t attend summer rowing camp are unlikely to progress too far in the rowing teams.

“You need to be on camp to make top boat,” one of the coaches said earlier this week.

It’s all preparation for competing against rowing teams from other top private schools, including Geelong Grammar, Wesley College, Carey Grammar, Haileybury College, MLC and Loreto.

Coach, Bianca Mims, agrees the schools place a lot of prestige on their rowing teams.

“It’s a costly sport and time consuming,” Ms Mims says.

For many of the girls taking part in the summer camp, it’s their first visit to East Gippsland.

Ms Mims said “they love it”.

“The river is gorgeous, it’s wide and flat and nice and quiet.”

Ms Mims said the river at the Nicholson River Holiday Camp was easily accessible for launching the boats.

The junior rowing team, which is made up of year 10 girls, rows once early in the morning while the seniors try to fit in two rows before lunch.

All participate in rowing in the afternoon with the seniors often doing another session after dinner.

PICTURED: The Caulfield Grammar rowing teams take to the Nicholson River during pre-trial training while on summer camp at the Nicholson River Holiday Park this week.