Archive for category: News

Rowing ACT relies on a group of volunteer boat race officials (BROs) to ensure the safety of competitors, to maintain the fairness of racing, and to manage the smooth running of regattas for the enjoyment of the wider rowing community. It is important for the ACT rowing community to maintain a healthy number of trained BROs so that regattas can be safely conducted throughout the summer seasons, and also to lessen the burden on individual BROs. If we do not maintain a healthy number of BROs, then it is possible that regattas could be scaled back or cancelled should there be insufficient BROs to maintain minimum safety conditions.

The role of the BRO is not onerous or difficult to learn. While many BROs are former rowers, previous rowing experience is not necessary. All volunteers will be trained in the basics and supported by other experienced BROs in less stressful roles until they are ready to take on the more challenging roles. These less stressful roles include boat driving, assisting the starter, marshalling, and judging at the finish.

BRO duties normally extend for the complete duration of a regatta. Notwithstanding, arrangements are possible to allow BROs to compete in events on any regatta day, or for BROs to fill just part of the regatta duration to deconflict with other weekend commitments.

For those interested in volunteering as a BRO for this coming season , a workshop is planned for Sunday October 21st at the Canberra Girls Grammar Boat Shed starting at 1pm. The workshop will run for 2 hours, and will provide new volunteers with training to perform basic BRO roles. The workshop is also useful for those existing BROs who are after a refresher on the rules of racing before the season commences.

No registration or preparation is required to attend the workshop – just come along and meet the Rowing ACT BRO team. They will take you through the various BRO roles and provide you with additional reading material and any additional material you may require. The timing of the workshop will allow new volunteers to participate in the Disher Cup and Col Panton Marathon events on the following weekend as orientation and in readiness to assist at the first regatta of the season, which is scheduled for the 27th October.

Any questions or enquires should be made to Geoff Northam (Rowing ACT BRO Coordinator) on 0418 506 755, or James Hammond (Rowing ACT Exec Officer) on 0406 376 666.

Canberra Grammar School Rowing seek to employ an enthusiastic coach to coach a current Year 7 Quad on Monday and Wednesday afternoons (4-5:30pm) and Saturdays (9:30-11:30am). Pay open to negotiation depending on experience.
If you are interested please contact Mark.Halpin@cgs.act.edu.au .

ANU rowers had an outstanding finale to their Australian University Games campaign in Adelaide on Friday, finishing the regatta with a total of 1 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze medals.

In challenging cross-headwind conditions, at times gusting up to 65km/h, the ANU crews held their form to emerge as one of Australia’s leading rowing universities.

The final day started well, with the ANU men’s double scull of Dylan Conolan and David Wright winning gold in the first of the finals. The ANU double’s recent winter of strength and endurance training was clearly evident when they powered away from the field to win by a convincing 17 seconds.

The silver medals were won in the women’s pair, men’s single, men’s four and the mixed four finals. The bronze medals were in the women’s lightweight quad and the men’s eight.

The men’s eight’s bronze was ANU’s best ever result in 46 years of racing for the Oxford and Cambridge Cup for eights.

Subject to confirmation by Australian University Sport, the combined results placed ANU second of the 21 competing universities in the overall regatta point score for the Centenary Trophy, just behind first placed Adelaide University and ahead of the big-budget Sydney and Melbourne University rowing programs.

The result is a tribute to the ANU Boat Club’s coaching team, in particular Katrina and Andrew Mackenzie, Renae Domaschenz, Ben Adams, Tom Watkins, Chris Lethbridge and Kent Weyand, and team manager Anthony Pardy.

View the Presentation Dinner flyer and Booking Form.

The 2012 Rowing ACT Presentation Dinner will be held on the October 13. This is a dinner which we hope will become an annual event recognising various successes throughout the season. This year’s dinner is to be hosted by Sarah Cook and features interviews by Tim Gavel with all four of the 2012 ACT Australian Representatives, Sarah Cook (Olympic W8+), Angus Moore (U23 M8+), Riley Owen (University M2x) and Luke Letcher (Jnr M4x).

We will also be awarding NEW premiership pennants for the overall point score winner and the men’s and women’s point score winners. These pennants will then be kept by clubs for eternal display in their boatsheds. The presentations of the Winter Time Trial series winners will take place as well as the draw for the 2012 Junior and Under 23 raffle. There will be a silent auction throughout the evening, proceeds from which will assist with Riley Owens seat fee contribution required for his involvement in the 2012 Australian University Rowing Team. And much more!

Proceeds from the ticket sales will be reinvested into the trophy stock to repair and replenish those in need of repair or those missing altogether. Ultimately the long term aim is to breathe some more life into our local competition.

RSVP by the October 5 to actra@rowingact.org

We hope to see you there.

ACTAS and Rowing Australia will be conduction NTC Time Trials this Friday (28 Sep) and Saturday (29 Sep). Rowers will start at the AIS White Poles and progress to via the most direct route to Kingston Harbour. Fridays TT will commence at 7am and Saturdays at 7:30am. All other rowers are requested to keep clear of those competing.