What did you do this Summer?
GPS Rowing
J. A. T. Collier
As many of the shore community soaked up the summer sun, embarked on holidays all around the world and relaxed over the break to get ready for the new year, the boys of the GPS rowing shed had other plans.
Following speech night, the boys from the 1st VIII, 2nd VIII, 1st IV and 2nd IV all got ready and packed to go over to New Zealand on the annual rowing trip. Being the first time in a few years, due to COVID, the excitement levels were high as for many it was the first rowing tour they had ever been on. Staying at St Peters College in Cambridge, the boys got straight into training, three times a day in order to get ready for the Christmas regatta at Lake Karapiro. After a few days of gruelling training, the first VIII collected a win in the schoolboys VIII race with the second VIII also having a great race in that final. The first and second IV went into an VIII for the week and recorded a second place in the club VIII race, which was also another great result. For some of the boys in the squad they had the opportunity to row in a double and a four in which both crews recorded a first place in their heat. It was a great experience to make new friends with the New Zealand boys from “across the ditch” and to get to experience rowing In another country. Back in Sydney, the third and fourth four also had racing as well as a week of solid training.
As the plane landed back in Sydney, the boys were given a “break” of a few weeks with a lower training intensity to rest up and get ready for January camp. However, come January, the boys all became familiar with the erg once again and pushed out workouts to ensure that fitness levels were still at a high level. And as the 16th of January came around, the boys were back in selection week and then off to Penrith for the last week of holidays. Along with the support of many parents, the boys were able to live out at Penrith for the week to maximise the training opportunities. With training after training in the hot sun of Penrith, the boys put in the hard yards and finished the holiday break off strongly with a great few sessions on the SIRC regatta course.
As the term recommenced last week, the whole GPS boatshed is keen and ready for racing most weekends this term and getting prepared for the infamous Head of the River in Week 8.
So to the boys of the SHORE community, mark the date for the 25th of March as all crews get into a tough 7 weeks to prepare to race the best they possibly can come HOTR. I wish all the boats good luck for the upcoming weeks and hopefully a few wins come out of the hard work they have put in. GO SHORE.