For most Richmond rowers the Victorian State Masters Championships for 2021 marks the end of a strange season with memories of lockdowns, zoom training sessions, regattas without spectators and cancellations for many reasons. But the State Masters Championship was a chance to put that behind us and focus on the opportunity to end the season on a high.
We were blessed with great conditions at Nagambie for the weekend with plenty of Richmond members competing from our full trailer. With plenty of on water action Richmond was well represented with strong performances throughout. Well done to everyone who competed, we had great success on the day including:
Gold
Female AB Single – Kate Dyball
Female AB Double – Michelle Joy and Kate Dyball
Female Club Coxless Quad – Karen Doggett, Zoe Maxwell, Michelle Joy and Kate Dyball
Female AB Coxless Quad – Karen Doggett, Zoe Maxwell, Michelle Joy and Kate Dyball
Male AB Coxed Four – Jon Roberts, Allan Randall, John Carey, Dennis Beck, Cox: Stefanie Dudczig
Male AB Pair – Jon Roberts and Allan Randall
Female C Coxless Quad – Karen Doggett, Geraldine Goss, Michelle Joy, Kate Dyball
Female F Double – Geraldine Goss and Jennifer Bingham (MUBC)
Silver
Male AB Coxed Four –Philip Munson, Tim Evans, George Frederiksen, Leigh Sullivan, Cox: Christine Sullivan
Female Club Coxed Four – Karen Doggett, Geraldine Goss, Michelle Joy, Kate Dyball, Cox: Teesaan Koo,
Female E Double – Geraldine Goss and Bea Klein-van Mullekom (Melbourne)
Female AB Coxless Quad – Jennifer Bingham (MUBC), Zoe Ryan (Melbourne), Geraldine Goss, Pamela Whiting (MUBC)
Bronze
Female C Double – Geraldine Goss and Ainsley Raggatt (Banks)
Mixed D Double – Geraldine Goss and Tim Juzefowicz (Essendon)
Welcome to Richmond’s newest member Elaine Miles who competed strongly on the day in Richmond crews and also picked up a gold for coxing Powerhouse/Yarra Yarra crew in the Male E Four.
Good luck to those Richmond members competing at National Masters in 2 weeks’ time in South Australia, representing Richmond and Victoria!!
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.
Congratulations to Michelle Joy and Geraldine Goss for being selected to represent Victoria as part of the states Masters 8+ crew. It’s great to have 2 Richmond rowers in the crew who will race as part of the National Masters Regatta in Sydney at the end of May. This is Michelle’s first time representing Victoria in the Masters crew, with Geraldine’s selection adding to a long list of success with selection into the crew.
They will be competing in a Richmond 8+, with the Ray Dennis being provided to the crew to train and compete in on the day. While this means it will not be available for a small number of training sessions and when in Sydney, it is important to support our Richmond rowers and the Victorian crew in achieving the best outcome possible. It also goes to reinforce the quality of the Richmond fleet which continues to improve further.
It was wonderful to see so many current members, old members and guests at our quiz night last weekend. The 2020 quiz night was unfortunately cancelled as COVID-19 impacted the country, so being able to get together this year was even better.
As you would all know as a volunteer run, community based club we are dependent on fundraising to support our ongoing operation to strengthen our fleet and provide coaching to our members. The quiz night is an important part of this as one of our biggest fundraising avenues.
Thank you to all those present, the volunteers who set up and cleaned up, the bar staff, those who generously donated auction prizes and those who bought them. Thank you to Derek Begg as our auctioneer on the night and Justin Thomas for writing the quiz questions. A massive thank you to Amy Catlin for organising the night and being our magical quizmaster for the evening.
Congratulations to our winning team on the night “Gently down the stream” comprising of Imogen, Lachlan, Charlotte, Rosie, Laura, Lachie and Ally who took out a closely fought contest.
The Clubs Safety Management Plan is an important document and all members should be aware of its contents. The safety management plan covers our on water activities, covering:
The assessment and reduction of risks related to our on water activities
Member Responsibilities
Safety Resources
Information about the safe use of boats and equipment including a checklist covering safe working condition of equipment prior to rowing
Incident reporting
Competency of those involved in rowing
Please review the document and be aware of it’s contents, I would like to highlight the following as reminders:
Consider the risk assessment board at the front of the club prior to any outing to assess the conditions. Ensure you know the waterway rules (included on the local waterways plan) and sign out of the shed on the sheet. If conditions are not safe or beyond your capabilities do not proceed.
Be aware of the safety resources at the club and their location including safety aids/rescue and defibrillator (beneath the sweep oars), first aid kits (gym), emergency services information etc
Check the boat and equipment before every outing including the bow ball is securely fixed, seals/bungs are secure for buoyancy, heel restraints are secure, steering is in good working order, riggers, gates etc. are working appropriately and oars are appropriately set within gates.
Lights must be used in poor visibility, take into account your planned on water time not just conditions when you launch
Consider your competency before any session, including physical/medical considerations, ability of participates and coxswains for the conditions and the boat you plan to launch in. If unsure, do not proceed.
Every rower is required to complete a safety theory assessment and swim test on joining. In addition the Rowing Victoria coxswains accreditation must be achieved in advance of rowing a single or coxing a boat/steering a coxless boat from bow seat.
Any incidents must be reported immediately. Should an incident occur you should return to the shed as damage may have occurred to the boat you are not aware of which could impact the crews safety. Reporting should be via http://3.25.77.84/incident
There is increased boat traffic on the Yarra, be aware of this at the time of your row and frequently consider the boat traffic around you to reduce the risk of incidents. Be considerate of other river users and do not undertake higher risk activities eg turning close to bridges, race pieces when the river is very busy/there are a high number of inexperienced crews or motor boats.
Based on Captains instructions:
No RRC crews are permitted 50 metres beyond the downstream drip line of the Bolte Bridge into the Port of Melbourne Area as we do not have the required equipment to meet the Harbour Masters Directions.
RRC crews may turn under the Bolte Bridge and enter Victoria Harbour:
• as long as it is safe to do so.
• provided they are within 50 metres of the downstream drip line of the Bolte Bridge.
Michelle Joy and Kate Dyball, coached by Dario Sportelli, will be representing Richmond at the 2021 Australian Rowing Championships at Lake Barrington in the Club Women’s Double Scull. Following a very successful Victorian State Championships campaign, we wish them the best of luck competing against Australia’s best crews in Tasmania.
There will be a live stream of the races accessible via the RV website with Michelle and Kate competing on Thursday afternoon and Sunday Morning. Hopefully everyone is able to get online and watch them do the club proud.
At the end of February the club headed to Nagambie with high hopes of a success and States taking place this year, one year on from a blown out States at Ballarat and a pandemic disrupted season.
There was a fantastic turn out of rowers at all levels from people competing the 2km course at open, a and b grade and the very competitive c and d grade events over 1km.
It’s fair to say that Richmond had amazing success with 9 Golds, 3 Silver and 6 third places which saw us come 5th overall in the medal table. Congratulations to all involved, athletes, coxswains, coaches and supporters.
A full list of medals is included below
Gold
FB2- Kirsty Fergie, Xanthe Hadfield
FB2X Kate Dyball, Zoe Maxwell
FC2- Kirsty Fergie, Xanthe Hadfield
FD1X Lily Innes-Irons
FD2- Alex Kinsman, Lily Innes-Irons
FD4+ Alex Huang, Alex Kinsman, Chelsea Crouser (cox), Frederique Le Bescond, Melanie Perkins
FD4X+ Alex Huang, Frederique Le Bescond, Kathryn Spinnler-Jenkins, Sarah Houghton (cox), Victoria Petersen
FO2- Kirsty Fergie, Xanthe Hadfield
MD8+ Ethan Lovett, Jack Austin, Jack Hellerstedt, Ka Ki Wong (cox), Kim Begelhole, Leigh Mckee, Matthew Lowe, Pavel Oborin, Richard Healy
Silver
FA2X Kate Dyball, Michelle Joy
FD2X Alex Huang, Victoria Petersen
MD4X+ Derek Begg/Zoe Kral (cox), Ethan Lovett, Jack Hellerstedt, Michael Gehling, Richard Healy
FD8+ Alex Kinsman, Chelsea Crouser, Dana Hill, Frederique Le Bescond, Kirsty Fergie, Lily Innes-Irons, Melanie Perkins, Will Golding (cox), Zoe Maxwell
MD4+ Derek Begg (cox), Ethan Lovett, Jack Hellerstedt, Pavel Oborin, Richard Healy
Thank you to John Carey and Jack Hellerstadt for their take on the weekend
Thursday boat loading
One last on-water session for the MD4x’s, some great race-pace action between the MD4x and MC4+ before finishing up the loading spearheaded by most of the women’s squad.
Friday
A day of rest, hydration and meandering gazes towards any stretch of water. Deep inflections of what it will take to win at Nagambie, which crews will we face up against and will I get an egg & bacon roll or venture towards the McGambie.
Saturday
See Friday…..
Sunday
Perfect weather, pretty hot and rising already from quiet early. No clouds no wind. Foxhole cafe just SW of the water tower is a must-stop on the way to the course. Offers a tiny slice of the Irish-Aussie experience, with the owner hailing from Monaghan.
Cheer squad extraordinaire featuring: Amy Catlin, Lachie Stewart, Charlotte North-Coombes, Shern Timmins, Roberts parentals and Basil (the dog, not our wonderful London-based former coach).
MD4+ Jack H/Ethan/Rich/Pavel/Derek was a four boat final with the school-boys taking it off the line from the start. Edged out Carrum to just make it onto the podium.
Egg & bacon eat your heart out. This year’s BBQ featured a top-shelf gourmet snag on the menu, beef or lamb, would love to see this appear as a regular event.
RRC MD4x+ were split across the two heats, hard fought for Matt/ Jack A/ Leigh/ Kim/ Christine (?) just missing the cut by 7 seconds. Jack H/ Ethan/ Rich/ Mikey G with Banks guest coxswain Zoë Kral stayed on Melbourne for a comfortable second place ticket to the final.
RRC MC4+ Denis/John C/Liam/Jon R with Derek (cox) left in the dust by Ballarat Clarendon who stormed home in a blitz of backsplash, completing the 1,000m course in 3.02 minutes. The lads were happy with their own performance, coming 5th in a time of 3.23 minutes.
The much anticipated M/F D8+ tête-à-tête had it all: yellow card for unlawful entry to the course, mid-flight cable repair to save Keith from having to race boxless, and the year-ten Carey Grammar crew first down the course by a comfortable 6 second margin to remind us that two coxed quads does not-quite make an eight.
Derek stepped back in for the MD4x+ final. It was anyone’s race for the first 500 with RRC trading in some grace for power at the start to stay in it, but Melbourne dug deep and couldn’t be caught. Satisfying second after seeing the late arvo heat catch up with Melbourne three-seat on the way back in.
Monday boat unloading
A largely uneventful affair with almost 2 trailer-loads of boats being unloaded in 56 minutes and 55 seconds.
Following on from the recent blog post about individual performance at the 2020 AIRC, we received the amazing news that Richmond Rowing Club won the overall club competition.
This is an unbelievable result for the club, congratulations to all involved. Great recognition for all the hard work during lock down.
Sunday 25th October saw a large turn out of Richmond rowers at the Australian Indoor Rowing Championships. Certainly not our usual kind of regatta however after so many weeks in lockdown any competition was welcome.
Throughout the preceding weeks we had been training hard on zoom with the ever motivating coaches Dario Sportelli and Will Golding. Having built the 4 sessions per fortnight into our working from home schedules it was great to catch up with other club members so frequently and still be able to train as a team. In the lead up to the event we all had our software updated, internet connections tested, AB cables at the ready and our ergos cleaned and prepped.
We started the day itself off with a yoga session from Gerry, which was a perfect way to ease into the day, settle the nerves, keep time moving on and ‘be present’ for our races.
It was certainly a different atmosphere to what we are used to, being alone in our houses getting race ready but another thank you to all that logged on to the zoom channel to offer their support.
First up were our coaches themselves, Dario and Will competing in the 19 -29 Men’s 2000m (Will in lightweight). Dario came away with a silver and Will a gold – setting the tone for the day.
At 11am it was the turn of the girls 2000m. Playlists at the ready and we were off, the 2k plans were in place we knew what we had to do. Despite feeling prepared we went through the whole 2k rollercoaster, yeah I’ve got this, keep pushing, when is this going to end, what the heck, can I just stop?, why are we doing this, stay strong, only 300m left, let’s go!
And the PBs and medals came rolling in.
Congratulations to all the competitors and medal winners
Chelsea Crouser 19-29 2k Lightweight – Gold
Xanthe Hadfield 19-29 2k – Gold
Kirsty Fergie 30-39 2k – Bronze
Sarah Hardy 50-54 2k – New PB
Geraldine Goss 54-59 2k
Phil Munson 65-59 2k
And a special mention to Helen Pearce 40-49 2k – Gold plus a new Australian Record.
And as if that wasn’t enough a short recovery time and (for what seemed like a good idea at the time to do both) it was the 1000m
Alex Kinsman 19-29 1k – Silver
Kirsty Fergie 30-39 1k – Bronze
Helen Pearce 40-49 1k – Gold
Cynthia Masters 55-59 1k – Silver
Michael Gehling 30-39 1k – New PB
Pavel Obrin 30-39LW 1k – New PB
Campbell Mayne 19-29 1k
Then on to the 500m
Xanthe Hadfield 19-29
Geraldine Goss 54-59
Finally, to end the day the 2000m relay where Richmond picked up
Richmond Women – Ainsley Raggatt, Xanthe Hadfield, Chelsea Crouser, Kirsty Fergie 19 – 39 2k Silver
Richmond Women – Susanna Mullner, Sarah Hardy, Geraldine Goss, Helen Pearce 40+ 2k Silver
Richmond Men – John Carey, Will Golding, Dario Sportelli and Michael Gehling 19 – 39 2k
Richmond Mixed – Pavel Oborin, Campbell Mayne, Alex Kinsman, Amy Catlin 19-39 2k Gold
We ended the evening with a zoom call to raise a glass to ourselves and congratulate each other on what was an intense but rewarding period of training. A big thank you must go to Dario and Will for their ongoing encouragement and dedication to the coaching sessions, and to the club for loaning out the ergos to give us the opportunity to train. We hope our new found strength can be put into good use on the water and look forward to the next time we will be able to race. Go tigers!
Richmond Rowing Club and TopRow Melbourne are partnering to introduce new rowers to the sport and focus on long term member growth for the club.
We have a strong history of running Learn to Row courses and a large number of our members have come to the sport in this way. The logistics of running Learn to Row courses with a volunteer coaching group can be challenging with competing priorities. Part of our strategy is to grow our member numbers to maintain a vibrant and financially sound club, this becomes even more important as we look to the impacts of COVID-19 on our operations.
As a result we have taken the Committee has agreed to partner with TopRow Melbourne (and Will Golding who is the face of TopRow Melbourne). Under this arrangement they will run frequent small Learn to Row courses from the club to focus on utilising our resources at quieter times. Once rowers graduate from TopRow Melbourne they will have the opportunity to join Richmond Rowing Club in our Development Squad and continue their rowing journey.
We have allocated 2 dedicated Learn to Row sessions into our rowing sessions as TopRow Melbourne trials operations over the coming months and starts advertising. These were communicated in our return to rowing plan along with ad-hoc part sessions depending on demand. This will be a similar amount of time/people as if we were running our own learn to row program.
We think this is a great opportunity for the club and TopRow to grow together. We also wish Will Golding every success with TopRow, he also continues to be an member of our RRC coaching group.
