Sports news - Rowing

News from the rowing sheds

It has been a busy start to the school term for our rowers as they continue their on-water training preparing for the upcoming regattas. All age groups have shown grit and determination with some not always favourable weather conditions being presented on many mornings. Thank you to our dedicated coaches and parent volunteers who have supported all of our rowers.

Powerboat license course 

Recently, a number of our new parents, and some of the older rowers, undertook the license course for powerboats to ensure our coaches and rowers stay safe on the water. Thanks to Boatbiz for running the course down at the sheds, which allowed our new drivers the opportunity to practice in some of our powerboats. 

Rowing captains 

At the All-School Assembly last week, we were pleased to announce that Sarah Gillow and Madison Mackey (Year 11) will be the SMC Rowing Captains for the upcoming season. Both Sarah and Madison have been dedicated to rowing for many years and have also been assisting with the coaching of younger rowers this season. We wish them a positive and successful rowing season ahead.

Club Regatta 2

Last weekend, many of our older rowers donned their zoot suits and hit the water for their first competitive row of the season. Club Regatta 2 allowed our senior rowers to blow off some cobwebs in a slightly more serious manner than they’re able to at their normal training. It also allowed our coaches to test out different combinations and check techniques in more competitive circumstances. It was great to see all of our rowers strive to do their best in difficult weather conditions throughout the weekend.

Some special mentions from the weekend go to: 

• Izzy Godfrey (Year 5), Evie Croall (Year 4) and Esther Kelly (Year 4), who represented SMC officially for the first time by coxing a large number of races.
• Imogen Richardson and Sana Ghiasvand (Year 8), who only took up rowing this season, both competed in the U17 Quads in their first races. 
• A highlight and new addition to the timetable were the Mixed Quad and Eights races at the end of Saturday’s schedule, where we combined with SVC to participate.

Noteworthy results from last weekend's regatta: 

First Place 

U17 Women's Double (Division 1) – Lucy Pinelli and Grace Coad 

U17 Women's Double (Division 2) – Charlotte Brimfield and Ruby Robinson 

U17 Women's Double (Division 3) – Ashlee Bowden and Mia Brooks 

U17 Mixed Quad – Lucy Pinelli and Grace Coad with SVC rowers 

U19 Women's Four – Ruby Wighton, Sarah Gillow and Madison Mackey (in a composite crew) 

U17 Women's Quad (1000m) – Imogen Croall, Grace Coad, Meila Bromfield, Lucy Pinelli and Esther Kelly (Cox) 

Second Place 

U17 Women's Single (Division 2) – Charlotte Brimfield 

U17 Women's Quad (1000m) – Ruby Robinson, Soraya Navidad, Charlotte Brimfield, Ashlee Bowden and Evie Croall (Cox) 

U19 Mixed Quad – Madison Mackey and Sarah Gillow with SVC rowers 

Senior Women's Eight – Ruby Wighton (in a composite crew) 

Third Place 

U17 Women's Four – Imogen Croall, Meila Bromfield, Lucy Pinelli, Grace Coad and Maggie Parker (Cox) 

U17 Women's Quad – Haily Wasala, Aoife Kelly, Molly Brown, Hayley Owens and Maggie Parker (Cox) 

U19 Women's Quad – Aoife Kelly, Molly Brown, Imogen Croall, Meila Bromfield and Esther Kelly (Cox)

U19 Women's Four – Hayley Owens, Imogen Croall, Grace Coad, Lucy Pinelli and Esther Kelly (Cox) 

U19 Mixed Eight – Haily Wasala, Imogen Croall, Lucy Pinelli and Grace Coad with SVC rowers 

Mini Quad Regatta 

This Saturday 9 November, the U13, U14 and U15 rowers will have the chance to compete in an informal setting at New Town Bay against several other southern schools with rowing programs. This will be the first opportunity for our U13 girls to experience the competition and put their early on-water efforts to the test. 

Our club will also be running a café in the function centre of the rowing sheds to raise some very important funds. If you would like to see our SMC rowers in action and enjoy a nice cup of coffee and a sweet or savoury treat, please pop down to the rowing sheds between 8.00 am and 11.00 am.

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