Tag: Fleet

Posted on

Continued Expansion of RRC Fleet

Through the first half of this financial year the club expanded our fleet with some second hand purchases, adding 2 stern coxed quad/fours and a number of singles to assist with our socially distanced rowing.

The Committee has also recently purchased an ex National Training Centre Sykes women’s lightweight double. This is a top of the range boat to support our highly competitive crews and requires the captains permission to row it. This boat is to be named the Franzi Locher. Franzi was a club member, rower and coach for a number of years and was the architect of the most recent renovation of the club house. Given the funds we receive from hiring our venue has contributed to our fleet expansion in recent years it is fitting that we honour the architect in this way.

We have also purchased and received a new Sykes men’s double as we improve the quality of our fleet including our smaller boats which are seeing more use. Again, this boat is not a general use boat and it requires the captain’s permission to row it. This boat is to be named the Emma Catford. Emma is a past president of Richmond Rowing Club, serving for 5 years in the role to 2013. Significant work was done by the Committee over that time to plan the renovation including reaching agreements with Melbourne City Council and MLC such that the club has been able to grow significantly since then. Emma was also a very successful rower throughout her time at the club.

It is great to have an expanded and newer fleet in the shed, this has been achieved through careful management of our finances and the income we receive from our hall hires – thank you to everyone who contributed to this.

We plan to christen these boats at our upcoming club BBQ on May 16th. Look out for details soon.

It is also important we continue to safeguard our fleet to minimise damage both on the water and in the shed, any damage to our fleet takes them out of action and the repairs eat into our funds for new boats. Please continue to be careful in the shed with oars and riggers when moving around, don’t leave boats unattended on trestles and take appropriate safeguards on the water with lights when dark and paying attention to the increasing river traffic.

Posted on

RRC Fleet allocations

Do you know which boat within the RRC Fleet is available for you to use and best suited to your use?
With the recent changes and additions to the RRC fleet Captain Barry has prepared this handy list of our fleet to help you.
Boats are classified by weight and crew availability, split between general use, experienced rowers and captains permission. Please use this list to determine which boat to use with the input of your coach and the Captain.
As always, if you are using a coxless boat you must have completed your coxswains course. Be aware of the conditions and take this into account when planning your row.
To help this list is also maintained in the shed near the front roller door.
Fleet Colour Chart

Posted on

Further RRC boats converted for quick release shoe use

A quick reminder, RRC has installed a new system of foot stretchers and base plates, which work with quick release rowing shoes. We have recently expanded the boats that have the system, it now includes:
Eights: Timothy Evans, Ambush
Fours/Quads: Dennis Beck, Barry Campbell, Karen Doggett, QT, DEMN
Doubles/Pairs: Sesquicentenial, Remigando Fortis, Siberian Tiger, Geraldine Goss, Anthea Amos, The New Double (to be named – currently called Minutes to Midnight)
Singles: Gurrong
The club has a range of both adjustable and non-adjustable shoes, sufficient for everyone, although if a rower prefers rowing with a non-adjustable shoe of their exact size purchasing your own quick release rowing shoes will guarantee this.
Should buying your own shoes be of interest see details below – as Christmas is approaching it may be the ideal items to add your Christmas list.
Benefits of the new system

  1. Crews of different heights/foot sizes can “fit” in the boats much more easily. The days of stuffing socks in the bottom of shoes to make them fit smaller feet, or rowing “feet out” because your feet were bigger than the shoes are past.
  2. Rowing in the correct size shoes can improve a rower’s technique and power
  3. Individuals with their own rowing shoes can use them in club boats


Can I buy my own rowing shoes and shoe plate?
You may wish to buy your own shoes and shoe plate (red piece in the diagram) if you row in the boats which have been fitted with the new systems.  There are benefits to owning your own shoes:

  • Personal hygiene for your feet, and comfort
  • Can reduce injury risk – depends on the rowers’ biomechanics
  • Allows for custom fitting of shoes – depending on a rowers’ biometrics (eg different lengths in legs can be catered for with shims)
  • Setting yourself up to row in varying boats takes less time

You may use your own shoes on an ergo, as we now have a number of adapter plates available for ergos.  Club owned shoes may not be used on ergos.
 Compatible Shoe and Shoe Plate Options – Richmond Rowing Club
Not all rowing shoes are compatible with the system RRC has installed. These shoes will.

Brand and TypeCurrent PriceComments
 Bat Logic PBR Shoe range
CustomPack Shims/Orthotics		$149; $240; $289 +P&HFrom basic to top of the range
Custom Pack $60.50
Rowfit shoes$120 + P&HBasic shoes
H2Row Rowing Shoes$125Volume discount for bulk purchase. Agent located on Boathouse Drive-maybe no P&H
Sykes Racing Rowing Shoes$185 + P&H 
Against Rowing Shoes$240 + P&H$329 with base plate combo
Wintech$175 + P&HNew shoes being released. Captain Barry has a pair
Bat Logic Shoeplate tops for your rowing shoes.$86.90 a pair + P&HAll rowers purchasing shoes will need to buy these. 2 sizes – small 6-9 & large 11-17. Check with Captain Barry.

All rowers will need to purchase a shoe plate to fit their shoes on.  An order placed through the club may attract a bulk discount (if 16 pairs ordered) & shared P&H – postage & handling.
Bat Logic also offer an assessment of your legs/feet and recommend appropriate shoes/shims/orthotics. 
More information:
Below is some information on the bat logic pro quick release system.
Bat Logic ShoePlate Pro QuickRelease Benefits
Leg length Discrepancy
Bat Logic Shim Pack
Bat Logic system Compatible Brands of Shoes
Barry, our Captain, is also a good source of information as he has completed the conversions, and has some samples.

Posted on

Raffle to name our new double – get in quick!!

There’s a new double in the shed and it’s currently got a very temporary name.

The committee has decided that we will raffle the opportunity for someone to choose the new boats name.
For just $10 you can choose the name for our new club boat.
Contact the RRC Captain Barry Campbell to get your official tickets.
Draw will be held at the RRC bar after Melbourne Head (23 November).
Note: there are some rules to the names.
1. No boat names already in use- sorry Dennis and Tim there will be no DB3 or TE2
2. RRC Committee to approve name – Rude and disparaging names will be vetoed.
3. Official tickets will be placed in a jar and drawn by THOR Tim Evans.
Barry Campbell
Posted on

RRC FLEET INSTALLED QUICK RELEASE ROWING SHOE SYSTEM – ABILITY TO PURCHASE YOUR OWN SIZED SHOES

RRC has installed a new system of foot stretchers and base plates, which work with quick release rowing shoes, into a number of club boats as follows:
Eights: Timothy Evans
Fours/Quads: Dennis Beck, Barry Campbell, Karen Doggett, QT
Doubles/Pairs: Sesquicentenial, Remigando Fortis, Siberian Tiger, Geraldine Goss, Anthea Amos
Singles: Gurrong
There are plans to upgrade the Ambush and Perillo at the working bee (Saturday 10th August – put it in your diary).
The club has purchased some additional pairs of shoes in a range of “regular” sizes and club members may switch shoe sizes prior to going on water.  Ask your coach or Captain Barry to show you where these shoes are kept and how to swap them.
The club has a range of both adjustable and non-adjustable shoes, sufficient for everyone, although if a rower prefers rowing with a non-adjustable shoe of their exact size purchasing your own quick release rowing shoes will guarantee this.
Benefits of the new system

  1. Crews of different heights/foot sizes can “fit” in the boats much more easily. The days of stuffing socks in the bottom of shoes to make them fit smaller feet, or rowing “feet out” because your feet were bigger than the shoes are past.
  2. Rowing in the correct size shoes can improve a rower’s technique and power
  3. Individuals with their own rowing shoes can use them in club boats


Can I buy my own rowing shoes and shoe plate?
You may wish to buy your own shoes and shoe plate (red piece in the diagram) if you row in the boats which have been fitted with the new systems.  There are benefits to owning your own shoes:

  • Personal hygiene for your feet, and comfort
  • Can reduce injury risk – depends on the rowers’ biomechanics
  • Allows for custom fitting of shoes – depending on a rowers’ biometrics (eg different lengths in legs can be catered for with shims)
  • Setting yourself up to row in varying boats takes less time

You may use your own shoes on an ergo, as we now have a number of adapter plates available for ergos.  Club owned shoes may not be used on ergos.
 Compatible Shoe and Shoe Plate Options – Richmond Rowing Club
Not all rowing shoes are compatible with the system RRC has installed. These shoes will.

Brand and Type Current Price Comments
 Bat Logic PBR Shoe range
CustomPack Shims/Orthotics		 $149; $240; $289 +P&H From basic to top of the range
Custom Pack $60.50
Rowfit shoes $120 + P&H Basic shoes
H2Row Rowing Shoes $125 Volume discount for bulk purchase. Agent located on Boathouse Drive-maybe no P&H
Sykes Racing Rowing Shoes $185 + P&H
Against Rowing Shoes $240 + P&H $329 with base plate combo
Wintech $175 + P&H New shoes being released. Captain Barry has a pair
Bat Logic Shoeplate tops for your rowing shoes. $86.90 a pair + P&H All rowers purchasing shoes will need to buy these. 2 sizes – small 6-9 & large 11-17. Check with Captain Barry.

All rowers will need to purchase a shoe plate to fit their shoes on.  An order placed through the club may attract a bulk discount (if 16 pairs ordered) & shared P&H – postage & handling.
Bat Logic also offer an assessment of your legs/feet and recommend appropriate shoes/shims/orthotics. 
More information:
Below is some information on the bat logic pro quick release system.
Bat Logic ShoePlate Pro QuickRelease Benefits
Leg length Discrepancy
Bat Logic Shim Pack
Bat Logic system Compatible Brands of Shoes
Barry, our Captain, is also a good source of information as he has completed the conversions, and has some samples.
Barry Campbell

Posted on

Our newest addition to the fleet – the Karen Doggett

It was wonderful to see so many members competing at the Melbourne Head Regatta. It was also a pleasure to spend the afternoon together as a club afterwards for a casual BBQ and drinks in wonderful weather (until the monsoon arrived!!!).

We received an urgent call to say the newest member of our fleet, a brand new men’s Sykes coxed four/quad, would be arriving that morning. There was no better time, than following the BBQ to get the club together to unveil the boat and name it through the smashing of a bottle of champagne.

As a top of the range boat which we hope will get plenty of use (and success) for the club at regatta’s, we wanted to ensure it was named after someone who has contributed so much to the club over the last few years. The Committee immediately knew who it would be appropriate to name it after – our outgoing president Karen Doggett.

Anyone who has been involved with the club ever since Karen became a member will know of her impact. Karen has been a successful rower for the club since she joined the club in 2008, with her first regatta win coming at Hamilton in a mixed eight. Since this time she has won at numerous regattas including State and National Championships, the most recent of these being in the Victoria State B grade quad in 2017. She has also been part of 2 Head of the Yarra winning crews.

In addition to this Karen has been a part of the Richmond Rowing Club Committee for the previous 6 years, initially as a general member and more recently as President of the club for 4 years until 2017. During this time Karen has shown tremendous dedication to the club, she was involved in the clubs 150th year celebrations and the club redevelopment which has left us with these magnificent facilities.
Her dedication and commitment to the role of President of the club was amazing and her legacy will continue on for many years through where the club is now and through this new boat.
We look forward to seeing this new addition to the clubs fleet at coming regatta’s, hopefully taking home some medals during the coming sprint season.