Rowing Report
The Shore Regatta returns to the Sydney International Regatta Centre
Last weekend, for the first time in well over 20 years, the Shore Regatta was held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre. Before I go through the results, I would like to thank the following parents for their hard work in assisting the Regatta to come off without a hitch.
Umpire Boat Drivers – Andrew Wheeler, Matthew Brooks and David Scammell.
Timing Hut attendees – Nick and Louise Harvey, Ed Fox, Patrick Salis, Ali MacFarlane, Simone Marshall, Sam Smith, Drew Hall, James Marshall, Mal McHutchinson, Sean Muffet, Andrew Scott and Matt Galligan.
The Regatta would not have worked so well without your assistance. Thank you!
The Regatta saw some brilliant performances from our crews. Whilst still a lot of our crews had to be rejigged due to illness (and a Saturday detention), the boys showed tremendous courage to post the following results.
The Third Yr10 VIII showed great style to record two 2nd-place performances, in almost identical times – this came with an 11th hour crew change due to illness overnight. In both races, after a very aggressive start, the crew settled into second place with some great middle 1000 metre rhythm being set up behind Tom F, who is only into his first season of rowing.
The Second Yr10 VIII Notched up another run of wins – with this crew continuing their impressive run of form. In both of their races, this crew of fine Shore oarsmen opened up a sizable margin in the first 500 metres, which was built on the whole way down the course. Ultimately finishing, much to the delight of Eddie B in the coxswain seat, a seven second winning margin. The ultimate reward awaited these young men as they were awarded their medals by Shore “LEGEND” Mr Mark Ticehurst.
The First Year 10 VIII have found themselves in the middle of a very tough category this season. This crew recorded a 4th-place in their first race and then took a step forward to record a podium finish in the second race with a tough fought 3rd place. With still more improvement to be made technically – the future is bright for this boat.
Our Senior Third VIII for the second Regatta in a row was pieced together with Year 10 VIII rowers and senior rowers, and with the late withdrawal in the Third Year 10 boat, had to make a quick trip down to the blocks so that they could race. A big shout out to Taj R, who is just into his second/third week of rowing. He stepped up so this crew could race, and I really appreciate his bravery – not an easy ask so early in your rowing. In their first race, the crew settled for a 3rd, but in a great push, this crew worked a little harder through the middle 1000 metres to secure a 2nd place.
We saw the debut of the 3rd IV this weekend (after having to miss the first Regatta through sickness). This crew also debuted a new man to Shore rowing in Connor G, who has been a great addition to our team. It also welcomed back Dan W, who, after a brief stint in another sport, has returned to the shed ready to take up the fight. In both their races, this crew finished in 2nd place and showed great promise.
The Second IV continued their strong run, finishing in 2nd place in both their runs down the track. In their first run down the course, the crew came under fire by a spirited St Joseph’s College combination, but a good solid third 500 metres lead by the “Sherrif”, Henry S, saw the crew secure 2nd position.
The FirstIV, outside of the First VIII’s race, are in one of the tighter contested divisions, with any one of five schools being in a position to perform. The Shore crew showed great courage to record two 3rd-place finishes from their two starts.
The First VIII rounded out the Regatta for Shore, with the Second VIII losing two men through the latter part of the week. The crew this week, determined to start well, went through 1st in both races through the 500 metre, but this would come at a bit of a cost with the middle 1000 metre rhythm taking a little too long to establish. In both their races, this was the case, but there were some great signs in their second race that the crew has a lot more speed to unlock. This crew now gets disbanded, and selection opens again for all our senior crews as we move past the pre-season racing into the second phase of the season.
Mr G Bates
MIC Rowing