Olympic contenders put rowing course to the test in state regatta

Rowing and canoe sprint events are scheduled to be held on the Fitzroy River during the 2032 Brisbane Games.

The next phase of venue planning is underway ahead of the Olympics and Paralympics.

Hundreds of school-age rowers are testing the Rockhampton course and facilities at a state regatta this weekend.

It's 7am on Saturday and the crack of a starter's gun can be heard in the distance upstream.

Eight boats spring from the starting line, as teenage rowers begin to slice through the glassy, brown waters of the Fitzroy River in central Queensland.

The action is beamed back to their supporters on a big screen on the riverbank which, just minutes before, featured a video advertisement for the local crocodile farm.

But on Saturday, the 18-year-old said knowing the river was now all but confirmed as an Olympic rowing course gave it a different feeling.

"It's amazing to think that I'm rowing at the same spot that Olympians are going to be rowing at," he said before his race.

As future Olympic dreams start taking shape for almost 700 athletes at the three-day state regatta, some young rowers, like Ryan, can already picture themselves there.

"I definitely think that could be an amazing achievement if I could achieve something like that," he said.

"Everyone is really excited. We've had the Australian [team] row here and train here [before] most Olympics."

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli this week announced the Rockhampton venue had passed an independent technical assessment "with flying colours" to host rowing and canoe sprint events at the 2032 Brisbane Games.

It came after months of fierce debate over the Fitzroy River's suitability, including its status as a crocodile habitat.

The premier delivered the news to Rockhampton Grammar School director of co-curricular Todd Wells, alongside a group of school rowers.