40/50 years ago the only non-GPS school which rowed was Cranbrook, and I don't think any girls schools rowed then. The highlight of Cranbrook's season was the Riverview Gold Cup, can't remember what they did in regattas leading up to the RGC.
The schools' rowing picture is much healthier now, especially with the take-up of the sport in girls schools. Like rugby, the problem in taking part of the sport is the "traditional" calendar of the GPS schools. I'd be inclined to suggest participation of all schools needs to be sorted out, slowly, over the next few decades. The issues of GPS/non-GPS rules, coxswains' weights, entries in specific classes (maybe take a leaf out of horse-racing here), etc., for starters.
The schools' rowing picture is much healthier now, especially with the take-up of the sport in girls schools. Like rugby, the problem in taking part of the sport is the "traditional" calendar of the GPS schools. I'd be inclined to suggest participation of all schools needs to be sorted out, slowly, over the next few decades. The issues of GPS/non-GPS rules, coxswains' weights, entries in specific classes (maybe take a leaf out of horse-racing here), etc., for starters.