Why Should You Row?
Why Not?
T. M. Kennedy
NOW, ON SATURDAY 16 MARCH, THE SHORE BOAT CREW WILL ASSEMBLE AND TAKE ON THE BIGGEST RACE IN SYDNEY: THE AAGPS HEAD OF THE RIVER. Now, rowing is a very difficult sport, in which endurance takes over – but why row? What is the purpose of rowing? Now, I have never rowed, although I know why a lot of people row. They row for the badge, for the people before them and for the discipline it brings. There is a reason why we are the best rowing School in the state. Now, today I am on a quest to find out why. So, I have come to interview the 2024 Captain of Boats, Ben Muffet. Now, before we begin this interview, let’s get some facts about Head of the River, and how to totally accomplish the highest feat in all of rowing. The Major Rennie Trophy was last on the cabinet in the boat shed in 2019. Since 2000, Shore has won 14 out of 23 First VIII races – showing the complete dominance of the Shore Boat Shed. A six minute race is life or death for these rowers with all the training that commenced before September last year. It’s a voyage that started and will finish at the end of the treacherous, will-defeating 2000 metre sprint, where the survival of the fittest will truly conquer Penrith. While the other schoolboys are shouting from the top of their lungs, on the lush banks of Penrith, we, men of Shore, will be brewing up a chant, right about on the 1000 metre mark. Shore is hot to go.
TK: So Ben, you are the Captain of Boats for this year. Tell me why did you start rowing in the first place?
Ben: I started rowing in Year 7 because I watched the domination of the Shore crews at the 2019 Head of the River and also partly due to the fact that a lot of my good mates were trialling, so I wanted to prove myself.
TK: What does the Head of the River mean to you and the rest of the eight boys in your crew?
Ben: For me and the boys around me, Head of the River is one of the biggest moments of our schooling career. Not only is it a race to the finish line against all schools, but it is a true test of heart and desire. When the time comes, the boys and I will be ready – ready for the moment to demonstrate the amount of effort we have put in and to prove not only to ourselves but to others that we have succeeded.
TK: What does a typical day look like when training?
Ben: A training day may vary depending on the schedule. Most days will involve a gym or erg session paired with an on-water row. Two days of the week, the boys will sleep at the shed, where various mums and dads come in to help feed the hungry crowd. Sleeping at the shed is always an early wake-up, well before the sun rises, to maximise a long row and make the most of the calm Parramatta water before School starts. Other mornings, it’s a 6:15 am arrival at School to begin mobility and strength training.
TK: What advice do you give to the younger generations of Shore students and rowers wanting to make the First VIII in the future?
Ben: My advice to any boy who wishes to row in the future is simple. Rowing isn’t an easy sport, but it reaps benefits. The discipline it teaches and the mate-ship it creates is something you will struggle to find in many sports. No matter what crew you row for, you will be noticed as a young man who shows heart and cares for his School.
TK: What is your pre-row gee-up music to get you going?
Ben: There never is music playing for the crews before a race, it’s purely focus. I must admit however, the boys do enjoy a bit of Adele cranking in the erg room and gym to spark it up.
TK: And finally, can we turn around the disappointing defeat last year, and come out victorious with the Major Rennie Trophy?
Ben: Tough question TK. Win, lose or draw, we will be able to deem ourselves successful if we row to our potential, and row to the best of our abilities. As for the Major Rennie and all other trophies, if all is executed well, I am confident that we will find ourselves lifting those trophies over our heads come March 16th.