Your ultimate Head of the Lake guide and how you can follow Sunday's action

Spit crews are ramping up their preparations alongside their schoolmates and rowers ahead of one of the biggest events on the Ballarat school sport calendar, set for Sunday, February 25.

READ MORE: In full roar - go behind the scenes as Ballarat Grammar brings its Wickety Wack

Can Ballarat Clarendon College back up its double victory in the boys' and girls' division one races? Or can a tough competition see new winners crowned this year?

READ MORE: Open field for Ballarat rowing showdown

And in an Olympic year, do not forget the vital tradition and importance of this event as part of Ballarat's rich sporting history.

The Courier's leading coverage of the event is also returning. We'll be running a live blog of the results along with pictures of the winning crews and updates from the sidelines, and among the spit crews, throughout the morning.

MORE: Remember your spit crew days? | PHOTOS

The Courier has been showcasing the schools ahead of the big day, you can read all about them and more below.

GIRLS

BALLARAT GRAMMAR SCHOOL: Zoe Wright, Eloise Adem, Addison Maxted, Georgia Walsh. Cox: Amy Gillbee. Coach: Andy Tyndall

LORETO COLLEGE: Liv Cushing, Tilly Stringer, Mia McTigue, Rosie Hunt. Cox: Tia Kinnersly. Coach: Craig Smith

DAMASCUS COLLEGE: Sam Crilly, Charley Gartlan, Laura Bylsma, Meg Mason. Cox: Paris Govan. Coach: Brad Beutel

BALLARAT HIGH SCHOOL: Audrey English, Nathalia Jenkins, Amaylia Coutts, Mikaela James. Cox: Wheng Marbella. Coaches: O. Spagnolo and R. Simmonds

BALLARAT CLARENDON COLLEGE: Phoebe Maher, Mackenzie Kopke-Veldhuis, Annabelle Moloney, Teja Kirsanovs. Cox: Cooper Nolle. Coach: Nicki Plucinski

BOYS

BALLARAT GRAMMAR SCHOOL: Ben Meakin, Harry Tol, Lachie Heath, Harper Walsh. Cox: Maddie Barclay-Smith. Coach: Luke Pougnault

BALLARAT HIGH SCHOOL: Loklen Wallace, Rhys Webster, Matt Sorensen, Aiden Pynn. Cox: Zoe Edwards. Coach: C. Nielsen

BALLARAT CLARENDON COLLEGE: Stuart Hall, Max Mason, James Forsyth, Charlie McClure. Cox: Reece Belcher. Coach: Ian Peele

ST PATRICK'S COLLEGE: Nedd Bennett, Angus Murfett, Paddy O'Brien, Henry Reinehr. Cox: Jarvis McLean. Coach: David O'Doherty

GIRLS

LANE 2: BALLARAT GRAMMAR SCHOOL

LANE 3: LORETO COLLEGE

LANE 4: DAMASCUS COLLEGE

LANE 5: BALLARAT HIGH SCHOOL

LANE 6: BALLARAT CLARENDON COLLEGE

BOYS

LANE 2: BALLARAT GRAMMAR SCHOOL

LANE 3: BALLARAT HIGH SCHOOL

LANE 4: BALLARAT CLARENDON COLLEGE

LANE 5: ST PATRICK'S COLLEGE

Ballarat Associated Schools' Head of the Lake program gets under way at 9am on Sunday.

The year 9 crews launch the 1000-metre series.

The last eight races will be over 2000m, with the blue riband division one girls' and boys' events providing the climax.

The girls' feature will be at 11.55am and boys' at 12.05pm.

All presentations will take place after each race on pontoons near the finish line.

The premierships - Harold Deveson Cup and JH Netherway Cup - will be presented at school gatherings during next week.