Rowing Report
Head of the River Regatta – Saturday 16 March 2024
Last Saturday, a large contingent of Shore travelled to the banks of the Sydney International Regatta Centre to watch the 127th AAGPS “Head of the River” Regatta. Before we dive too deep into the results from the day, I would like to thank the boys, families and staff members who made the effort to come out and support the rowing squad. It was truly tremendous to see the support our crowd gave to those competing!
This regatta is contested among 11 races ranging from the Year 10 Fourth VIII’s right through to the GPS First VIII. Shore was amongst only three schools that fielded crews in every event (the other two being St Joseph’s College and Saint Ignatius’ College Riverview).
From our 11 starts, the boat club finished with two 1st places, six 2nd places, a 3rd and two 4th place finishes.
Our Year 10 VIII’s got underway first with the Fourth Year 10 VIII, who had, as recently as the previous Thursday, welcomed a new member to the crew with the unfortunate injury to Charlie Ryan, which ruled him out of the race. Will Powell stepped in and stepped up, having previously not rowed sweep at all. This crew got away cleanly and were locked in an exciting race. Whilst 1st place had cleared out early, it was the Shore boat that challenged the most and secured 2nd place by the time the crews had passed the 1500 metre mark.
Our Year 10 Third VIII had some very exciting racing in the lead-up to this regatta, with this boat trading blows with Riverview in the lead-up regattas. This race started like the others – with Riverview and Shore, neck and neck (and third a very distant third). At the 1500 metre mark, there was nothing separating these two crews (.24 of a second with Riverview in 1st, Shore in 2nd). Unfortunately for the Shore boat, we were able to hold this narrow lead to the finish line despite some absolute bravery from the men from North Sydney.
The Second Year 10 VIII crew provided the first win for the day for Shore. This crew had enjoyed some great performances over the season. The crew started this race in great fashion, building a strong lead early (just under a boat length by the 500 metres). The crew, under the guidance of Stroke Billy Blaess and Coxswain Jeddy Sam, built that out to just over a boat length through the middle 1000 metres, which was just as Coach Mr Jack Message had instructed. Here, the hard work had been done, and despite a very spirited final 500 metres from the Riverview crew, the Shore boat crossed the line 1st and was met by the loud celebration of the Shore crowd.
The First Year 10 VIII had some brilliant races this year and had found themselves regularly locked in a battle with The King’s School (TKS), and this race promised to be a “barn burner” affair. The race started well for the Shore crew with a great launch from the starting gate, which saw them build a 2 second lead in the first 500 metres. This margin was defended right through the middle 1000 metres, and it was here that the crew really knew they were in a contest with a massive push coming from the North Parramatta school, which really applied the pinch to our crew. Try as they might, the lead was surrendered to the TKS crew as the bows crossed the finish line. Full credit must go to TKS for a brilliant race, but I am very impressed with the bravery shown by the Shore crew. Looking at the performances of these crews, I can confidently say that the premiership window is open!
The Senior Third VIII raced next. This crew consisted of young men who missed selection in the GPS fours programme, but as it is our promise to all those who begin the season, we move heaven and earth to make this happen. This season, we enlisted Angus Motteram and Rob Kerr from the year below to help round out this crew, and I cannot forget the inclusion of Nick Stacker and Tom Mitchell, who were brilliant across the final stages of the season. This crew, as they had done all season, set off to shut down the margin between them and Riverview (some four weeks beforehand, Riverview had beaten them by some margin). This time, it was a lot closer, with just half a second separating these crews as they entered into the final 500 metres. Whilst the finish order didn’t change what a great season these boys had, I couldn’t be prouder of their efforts.
The GPS Fourth IV was the start of the six premiership races. Just four weeks ago, this lineup of men had been resigned to the B final at the Gold Cup, but after watching the first 500 metres of this race, that Gold Cup performance seemed a lifetime ago. This crew led through the first marker, then built on that through the second and third marker, entering the final 500 metres just under 2 seconds in front of the chase pack. One final push from this crew saw Jack Holt, Will Bailey, Connor Glancy, Tom Kierse, and the mighty Tom Gray cross the line first, returning the Penrith City Cup to Shore and the GPS Fourth IV premiership. I will also add that this crew contained three members of our Year 10 Fourth VIII from last season, and one member had not taken a stroke until this season! It’s just a remarkable feat of bravery, courage and teamwork! They serve as a lesson to the next generation of Oarsmen coming through the ranks.
The GPS Third IV had most certainly had its rough run in the final two weeks of the season. During the penultimate weekend, a combination arose that had the First IV running scared for that, only to be disrupted by a most unfortunate injury. But as they had done all season, these brilliant five men re-set, recalibrated and changed their combination as they had done for the last few weeks due to illness and the like. The final seating saw the more experienced Aidan Macfarlane move into the stroke seat for the final race of the season and started the race well. It became evident that the combination was under pressure early through the middle 1000 metres, allowing the two lead boats to establish a very tough lead. The crew showed great character in securing their podium finish, and I congratulate them on their resolve.
The GPS Second IV had a great few final weeks of the season, enjoying great form in the buildup; this crew had challenged our own First IV on many occasions through training. On the final race of the season, the crew completed the first 500 metres in 2nd place and started to look comfortable as they completed the first 1000 metres. It was here that the race unravelled a little for the crew; after being in 2nd place, the crew came under fire from the Joeys crew and the King’s crew, and as they entered the final 500 metres, they were sitting in 4th position. Whilst the crew did lift in the final 500 metres, they had left themselves too much work to do and had to settle for 4th place over the line.
The GPS First IV raced next and showed through the season that they deserved to be considered among the race favourites this season. They had shown through races that they had a great mid-race rhythm, and this race reflected that same race profile. They did lack a little grunt to match the speed of the view four out of the blocks, but they had the discipline to hold “their hand in the fire” through the third 500 metres to put themselves within striking distance and as they crossed into the final 500 metres, stroke Henry Faddy sent the rate up, with the crew working hard to close the clear water gap that view had created. It was brilliant to see this crew record the fastest final 500 metre split of the Fourth’s competition to close the gap to just three quarters of a length in 2nd place.
The GPS Second VIII had shown great endeavour throughout the season. Like a few of the other crews in our Senior squad, they had to contend with a fair run of illness over the final month of the season. Through the great leadership of Mr Smith (a new addition to the PE department and the coaching ranks), the crew were able to hold themselves together and continue to improve. The race started well for our crew, with stern pair Edward Kenny and Jasper Halstead showing great form through the first 500 metres. Through the middle 100 metres, the crew fought bravely to claw their way onto the podium, a position that had eluded them at times this season. Whilst they were able to get within a boat length, this was as close as they got, with the crew valiantly having to settle for 4th place.
The GPS First VIII had a brilliant final month this season, rapidly improving across the weeks under the guidance of Mr Jason Baker. The crew sat at the start line with renewed confidence in what they could do. The combination had changed from old hand Alex Smith to the generation next, young “pup” Oliver Harvey, which had worked well. We had also seen Rory Hall move out of the Sharp end to a middle seat and another one of generation next, Oliver Edwards, move into the Sharp seat. The race started as a lot of the races had this season, with a blanket being able to be thrown over the field through the first 500 metres. This race was anyone’s, and it took a very impressive move from Joeys to break the deadlock. The Shore boat sat patiently through the middle 1000 metres with three quaters of a length separating 2nd and 4th position, and as the crews moved into the final 250 metres, it was then the Shore crew that launched a brilliant attack over the King’s and St Ignatius crews, finishing in 2nd place behind the very impressive row of the Joeys crew. It has been simply inspiring to watch this crew go about their business in the final month. I am sure the feelings through the final 250 metres will stay with these boys as they move into life post-school rowing, along with the simple belief that if you surround yourself with like-minded people and work for each other, then the impossible starts to become very possible.
Mr G Bates
MIC Rowing
Top Image: Shore First VIII crowd
