The DEM'N Quad

The DEM'N Quad

A big congratulations to everyone involved in another great day at the club on Sunday 10th November. It gave me great pleasure to officially name the two newest boats added to our fleet. We welcomed Dennis Beck, Emma Catford, Martin Foster and Nicole Stupka to officially name the new mid weight coxed four and quad which we purchased earlier on this year from Latrobe University Boatclub. This boat gives us great flexibility in the fleet enabling us to take one boat on the trailer for both sweep and sculling races at regattas and fills the gap left by the retiring of the James Butcher. The boat was named Dennis, Emma, Martin & Nicole, or to be known in the shed as “THE DEM’N” after the very successful masters mixed quad crew that represented Richmond both state and nationally. Along with their successes on the water each one of them served for many years on the club’s committee and were instrumental in the running of the club from 2008 until the present day. A well deserved honour for them all.
We also officially named the new double/pair, another flexible addition to the fleet. The sesquicentennial (150 years) was a very generous anonymous donation to the club given to us to mark the milestone of 150 years of continuous operation and we are very grateful to the mystery supporter of the club who bestowed this great surprise on us at the Gala Dinner in September.
There was action on the water too as Justin Thomas and helpers again organised a very successful club time trial event that gave everyone a chance to warm up their legs for the upcoming head racing season on the Yarra. Line honours on the day went to the men’s quad of Michael Gehling, Charlie Burke, Michael Calvert and David Micallef coxed by Michelle Joy.
Just to let you all know the next event at the club will be on Saturday 23rd November when multiple Richmond crews will be taking to the Yarra to compete in the Melbourne Head course. The bar at the clubhouse will be open for the afternoon following the conclusion of racing so friends and family are welcome to come along and support RRC.
The fun keeps coming too as Christmas is just around the corner so look out for information soon about this years RRC Christmas ‘Hoe-down’ to be held on Thursday 19th December.
See you all soon.

From water to wine…

Carolyn HOG 2013MD4+ HOG 2013

On Saturday, Richmond rowers headed to Nagambie to compete in the 8th Annual, Head of the Goulburn, Tahbilk ‘Bridge to the Vines’.  A favourite amongst many, the 7.2km course commenced at Chinaman’s Bridge and finished at Tahbilk Winery.

 

The women’s D8+ crews were first off the mark.  With the hint of a glass of wine spurring them on, the senior D8+ coxed by Derek had a strong second place row, missing out on first place by only 7 seconds.  For many in the women’s novice D8+, this was their first ever race.  Coxed by Lindsey Brown, it was a fine and admirable effort from all. 

 

Next came the men’s C4X+ finishing in third place. With an exuberant shout from commentator Neville, the boys had spectators running to see the finish.

 

Our women’s C4X+ were next to power to the line.  With a daunting 23 crews their competitors, Richmond finished in fifth place with a mere 24 seconds separating the first five crews.

 

Rachael Button put in a fantastic effort flying the Richmond flag in a Latrobe Uni/Richmond women’s M4X+ and placing second overall.

 

The men’s D4+ represented by Matt Crouch, PJ Eadie, Charley Catford, Dylan Nicholson and cox Rebecca Lionnet had a convincing win, charging to the line with over a four minute lead.  And finally, Carolyn Manning in the women’s masters 1X flew to the finish at an incredible 28 strokes per minute to win her division.  Fantastic wins for both the men’s D4+ and Team Carolyn.

 

Congratulations to all Richmond crews who participated and a special thanks to the many Richmond volunteers and supporters whose assistance and encouragement we’d be lost without.  From coaching, coxing, towing boats, carrying oars and the loud cheering over Neville’s dulcet tones, there are many people who contributed to Richmond’s successful day on the Goulburn.

(Report by Gigantor)

Social / Casual Rowing

Are you an experienced rower that just wants to row socially or casually at Richmond?
This would suit people who;

  • Cannot commit to set crew.
  • Want to come back to rowing.
  • Not wanting to compete in regattas.
  • Want to get fit.

We are proposing outings on Sunday morning after the squad training sessions come in at 11.30am.
Although Christine is a level 1 coach, there will not be any coaching but for suggestions to get the boats up and balanced.
We will be rowing distances to suit the crews.

If you would be interested in this please contact Christine or Nick Kaissidis

Oct 2013 Training Camp

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RRC VP, Justin Thomas reports on last weekend’s training camp.

I hadn’t attended a ‘country ‘ camp for a couple of years but while I was looking forward to it some mixed memories came flooding back, not least my first camp at Bairnsdale which seems an eternity ago now.  The huddling into a cramped cabin out of the fickle Gippsland weather, the long and exhausting final row and most unpleasantly being on a floor level bunk when the guy above threw up after a big Saturday night.  However when I arrived at the spacious cabin with a balcony overlooking the lake I realised that things were going to be different.

I arrived at the trailer early the next morning I was met by a solitary but significant figure; it was Jane Robinson our new coach mentor.  I had heard about her but never met her and as I chatted with her as others arrived I knew this was someone who could bring invaluable help to us.  The first session though had its problems, the presence of single scullers on the course prevented RRC from going up and down the course in the respective lanes. While one aim of spring camp is to bring us together as a club the temporary and high speed union of the senior women’s eight and the coxless quad into a twelve was not what was intended.  When the session ended and the video analysis begun we were relieved to see Gerry walk in, albeit with an ice pack.

Many commented on how useful the video analysis was, even if the analysis didn’t directly concern them.  Some of the less experienced rowers found it a valuable lesson in seeing that even the most experienced rowers at the club had technical faults and everyone was trying to improve themselves as rowers.  The next session focussed on the technical output from the video session but the wind across the lake remained strong.  Partly because of this the final session on Saturday was on the beautiful Goulburn River and it was my turn amongst the coaches to accompany Jane in her boat.  As we weaved our way through the RRC flotilla I picked up valuable insights as our boats powered upstream.  But as our boats turned I heard shouting in the distance and a desperate paddle was being waved in the air from a stationary power boat upstream.  Our reluctance to leave the rowers was (just) overcome by a sense of civic duty and we gave four members of the local intelligentsia a tow.  When a jet-ski appeared with the petrol they needed they sped off and Jane vocalised a little frustration that their lack of planning had impacted our coaching but I remembered something from my upbringing, Matthew c7 v1 to be exact “Do not judge, or you too will be judged” and sure enough as we neared the women’s novice eight our engine spluttered and died.  A Yelled conversation over 500 metres with their cox Jim Cooper informed him of our plight and he was eventually able to despatch some passing Bogans to our rescue.  In the meantime I found myself being paddled along the heavily wooded Goulburn by a former Olympian sat on the bow of her power boat, with me carefully listening for the sound of engines…or banjos.

The evening saw an excellent club barby at the cabins in front of the lake with Peter Schouten a veteran of many such events at the forefront (thanks also to chef Charlie and Barry).  It was the rowers turn to refuel and looking at the fridge in one of the men’s cabin a fair bit of refuelling was planned!  I got to speak to my rowers individually (it wasn’t a confessional as some suggested!) but my evening ended on a low point when Vicki Brennan told me her cabin was having a party and I wasn’t invited.  I trudged home and cried myself to sleep.

The next morning saw another long row up the Goulburn this time Derek was my tinny companion and it was great to get his perspective on the rowing we saw.  The camp finished with handicapped races on the course, all in the sunshine that we had been lucky enough to enjoy for the whole camp.  As we packed away Jane commented on how impressed she was with our club, how people like Barry, Dennis, Jim Nicole and others would row, cox, drive tinnies or do whatever was required to make the camp work.  She was particularly impressed by the mid-stream cox swap in a bow coxed racing four!  I have a feeling that her expertise and our fantastic volunteer spirit could make a powerful combination this season.

Geraldine Goss awarded RV Female Masters Rower of the year

Geraldine Goss awarded Rowing Victoria Female Masters Rower of the year
Congratulations to Richmond’s very successful Geraldine Goss who was yesterday awarded Victorian Female Masters Rower of the year. Gerry has numerous achievements and was selected in the Victorian interstate women’s quad which went on to win gold at the Australian Masters Rowing Championships in Canberra earlier this year. She also claimed wins and places in multiple other events and for those of you who regularly read our blog you will have heard about her trip and further successes in Italy at the World Masters Games.
So taken from Facebook in the words of our very own Louise Roberts “Oh amazing job champ! You are an inspiration to us all”.

Sunny Sunday in September

Sunny Sunday in September

It was great to see so many people out on the river on Sunday in beautiful conditions for this season’s first time trial. The black and gold was an impressive site both on and off the water.

A big thank you to Paul for capturing the event and the attached photograph of the membership. I also want to pass on my thanks to all those who showed the great RRC spirit by volunteering to help run the event Justin, Kathy, Tom, Gerry, Carolyn, Claire and Vicki.

Also a special mention to Dennis’s for his cameo in the women’s quad, our double scull of Michelle and Corrine who were the only crew to navigate the 7km course coxless and Matt from Learn to row who subbed into a boat after only 3 lessons! He was one of 12 to do their first club time trial on Sunday and I think the day was a big success.

The official times are listed below next to the relevant cox, line honours go to the men’s coxed quad at 34.51. So that’s the time to beat…..

DS1 Sandrine 50:39
DS2 Aaron 47:27
WN Bec 40:29
SW Derek 35:32
WS Lynn 43:54
MS1 Rachael 38:23
MS2 Lindsey 34:51
WS2 Corrine and Michelle 38:20

150th exhibition opening, Sunday 15th Sept.

Come and join us to help celebrate a big weekend in the history of the club.
After our Saturday night gala dinner we have a slightly more informal event at the boathouse (not too early for anyone who has had a “really big night”).
Normal training will be on at 10am for those keen and eager and the exhibition celebrating our 150 years of history will be open to all.
From midday the bar will also be open and the BBQ should be firing up to nourish members, friends and family.
So come along to experience what makes Richmond Rowing Club such a great place to be!
RRC exhibition poster

RRC 150th t-shirts available to order now!

For those after a souvenir RRC 150th item we are getting some classic limited edition t-shirts with our 150th logo. These polo shirts are available to order and buy now on Trybooking for $35 (see the size chart below and make your order) http://www.trybooking.com/DCNM. Get in quick so you don’t miss out!RRC 150th t-shirts
RRC 150th logo
T-shirt size chart