Ballaz. B.Rat. The Rat (see https://www.danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_355034/the-rat-bitter-ale ). My old stomping ground but never before my “rowing ground”, thanks to Lake Wendouree’s evaporated state the entire five years that I lived two minutes down the road from it. To its credit, however, the lake did provide much entertainment for the locals in other ways during that period, whether it was revealing cold case criminal evidence in the form of dumped firearms, luring school kids into a false sense of security with an apparently firm and study surface but quicksand-like layer underneath, or, and most excitingly, encouraging the continuing and desperate search for the legendary lost 1956 Olympic Rowing gold medal (even though apparently it was found shortly after and was in fact silver).
The epicentre for excitement, Lake Wendouree, the heart and soul of Ballarat (right up there with Sovereign Hill) did not disappoint on this 2016 regatta event either – even when filled with water! Her glorious breadth and mirror-like reflection of the heavens allowed us all a pleasant day relaxing on the soft and grassy bank whilst enjoying the sight of swans and boats gliding across glass; a picture quite the contrary to the expectations and warnings continually tossed about by pessimistic/realistic club members (come on guys, give B.Rat a break).
The day started out as it has a habit of doing so at these sprint regattas, with RRC’s finest, the elite singles and doubles, doing a great job in the earlier races. Sophie and Ainsley raced up a level in B Grade Double Scull over 2km for third place, proving cool under pressure when, upon discovering the new double they were to race in was without riggers, made a last minute switch to the faithful Lucy Crunden. Michelle also faced a competitive 2km sprint to place a hard-earned third in the A Grade Single Scull, whilst Sarah won her Heat “by a mile” and gained a third in the A Final of the D Grade Single Scull. Michael and Andrew gained confidence in a smaller boat for States, coming away with fourth in the D Grade Double Scull Heat and second in the B Final.
Eventually, the ramble rocked up. The DS pulled in, rigged up and sat around nervously awaiting 1 x race. Indeed, this phenomenon was quite the contrast for some of us who rowed in multiple crews at Barwon the previous week and ended up in 4 x consecutive races with little time in between for bananas, or, in my case (as is fast becoming my reputation), sun cream. During our spectator period, whilst grazing and engaging in pleasant rowing talk (as you do), we witnessed the dominant combination of Karen, Stef, Lindsey, Gerry and cox Derek winning their first race together as a crew after a tough and tight one in the C Grade Coxed Quad Scull. Congratulations, guys! Sophie and Ainsley also faced another 2km slog for second place with fellow crew members Gerry and Michelle in the B Grade Coxed Quad Scull, whilst Sarah & Stef and Vickie & Jodie achieved third in their respective A and B Finals of the D Grade Double Scull.
Throughout the day’s proceedings, all admired the array of canine friends who also attended the event, including a puppy version of Daphne (who was surely not as cute as the RRC official mascot herself). I observed the swans and provided useless commentary for my seemingly unimpressed squad members regarding a white duck whom some of you may have noticed paddling over to our tent throughout the day. During my time at Ballarat he became known to me as ‘Walter’ – a tame pet who had been set ‘free’ by some lazy and heartless local. It was positive to see him now thriving, clearly having adapted to his surrounds and having learnt how to fish for himself and keep a safe distance from bikes, dogs and humans. His open display of support in showing up on the day was greatly appreciated. What’s this article about again? Oh yes, the rowing.
With Tim ranting about potentially scratching the absent Andy from the mix, low and behold, the man of the hour arrived, much to everyone’s relief. He later went on to push off smoothly and professionally, closing out the D Grade Single Scull with a first place in the Heat and third in the A Final. Not long after his arrival, however, it was D-Day. D-time. Get the Dudgeon out on the water. I had been asked about the namesake of this boat by an enthusiastic Corowa club local at Rutherglen some weeks ago, who, upon querying “Is Donny Dudgeon still at the club?”, received my helpful response, “Er the guy or the boat?”. Although Don is sadly no longer with us, yes, random Corowa rowing guy, the boat is very much up and running and I’m pleased to say that after we pushed off with a little help from Tim (us city slicker river rowers aint used to the country folk and their pontoons), we warmed up in a style that would have made “Donny” proud. Having never met Don I still think it’s safe to assume that if a boat is named after him he would have been the sort of guy who’d appreciate our focus on quality rowing technique. Balance. Balance. Balance. In a four it is harder to achieve but we did our best. That and keeping the legs down…..and adjusting handle heights… and timing….and bodies over…and slowing up the slide…all for you, Cat!
Starting line antics were as usual – people trying to have audible conversations with their cox and crew in order to appear confident, smug and experienced. Pah! I say to them; what good it did for their finishing place! Our pro four talked about making sure our gates were actually attached and screwed closed properly. You gotta get the basics right, people – nobody every won by losing an oar mid-race. After a good start we kept up with all boats for the entire race, pulling away from others and gaining on and passing Melbourne (huzzah!) and, for a while, Wendouree. Our cox was on the brink of (literally) crying with joy as we thought we were headed for our first win and indeed we nearly did have it. In the closing metres, however, the home team, an experienced group (as revealed by an inside source at Wendouree Rowing Club: my mum), had enough extra push to pip us at the line by a third of boat. An extremely close and hard-fought finish and something we can all be proud of and build on as we continue on the road to Rio States.
In a similar (but slightly better) vein, Sophie, Karen, Ainsley and Gerry finished in a thrilling Final only one second behind the winners in the C Grade Coxed Four. As always, Michelle dominated in the ‘Bonecrusher’, winning convincingly in her B Grade Single to cement her score, and the Men’s Eight (who climbed up the charts into C Grade after a string of recent wins) did well for a close finish in third. A special mention here to Lachy who, since having flown from the DS nest, has gone ahead in leaps and bounds with the men’s crew. Congratulations to the other DS crews who gained valuable sculling experience in the D Grade Coxed Quad Scull and rowed a solid race to finish in the Crunden and Lambert, particularly those of us racing for the first time this weekend!
As the day drew to a close it was time to mill around and de-rig, but of course the excitement did not end there. For would it really have been a regatta if there weren’t a bit of boat/human damage? One stray quad delivered on this in fine form with a clean swing of the bow end into the side of my head as I diligently assisted another crew with unrigging (the outrage!). Contrary to his usual advice, the bow-carrying member of the group, who shall remain nameless, was not watching his end of the boat. This provided a valuable lesson to us all which I was keen to remind my assailant of at the time with a firm yet polite “DON’T BREAK THE BOATS, [Mr X], DON’T BREAK THE BOATS!”
After some much-needed ice cream, all was forgotten and it was time for everyone to head home. On this occasion, it was a 2 minute drive down the road to my family’s house; a comfort which I hope to exploit at upcoming States as well. A shout out to Tim here for his mad skillz in reversing an oversized boat trailer between trees, around people and over curbs onto a narrow road. Week in week out your ability to do so never ceases to amaze. Also many thanks for a job well done to Dennis for acting as RRC’s BRO for the whole afternoon.
In closing, I must say that having walked around Lake Wendouree what must be hundreds of times, I am proud to have finally rowed on it, in a great race, with a club of fun, supportive and friendly people. I can’t wait for the next one and look forward to returning to the Rat with you all to claim some gold and pose for the ultimate novelty photo under the Olympic rings. Go Richmond!
Catherine Dorian