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Head of the Yarra 2012

This Saturday is the Annual Head of the Yarra (HOTY) Regatta on the Yarra.  For those not rowing it is an amazing spectacle come down and cheer on the 3  Richmond crews Women’s D, Mens C and Mixed Masters A-C .  It’s one of the few head races you can  also follow along the entire course on a pushbike.

  • this year there will be 180 boats competing in various club and school categories.  180×9= 1620 competitors (rowers and coxswains)
  • Clubs from all over Australia compete.
  • Each boat traverses the 8.6km winding river course.
  • Racing starts in the City and ends at Hawthorn Rowing Club
  • There is only a 10 sec interval between crews and a 5 min break between brackets
  • Coxswains need nerves of steel:
    • A racing eight is 18 metres long and weighs approx 100kg. (empty)
    • On water it’s 7 metres wide and can weigh nearly a tonne (with crew and oars)
    • Wallan Road (Leonda bridge) arch is only 9m wide
    • An A-grade heavyweight male crew can travel at over 6 metres a second.
    • An eight can take 4 times its length to turn 90 degrees.
    • The coxes view of the course is semi obscured by the crew.
    • A brand new racing eight costs upwards of 35k plus oars.
  • So remember to listen to your Coxswain at all times!!!
  • and have Fun!!!!

Hawthorn RC put on a big event at the finish line so come along and support your Richmond Tigers.
Plus don’t forget the Powerhouse post HOTY Toga party.

Come join us after your day of racing for a TOGA PARTY at PHRC.BYOS (Bring Your Own Sheet)
Tickets: $10 via http://www.trybooking.com/CCBJ
or
$15 cash at the door.
There will be jelly shots.
There will be twister.
There will be dancing.
There will be pizza.
There might even be a smoke machine.
You’re going to have a SHEETload of fun.
It will be unforgeTOGAble!

Have a great weekend whatever you are doing
Barry Campbell

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Changing the Club Racing Uniform – Have Your Say

Hello All
As discussed at the club AGM (28 July 2012) a proposal has been received by Geraldine Goss to change the current design of the RRC racing zootie. For those that are new – this is the official uniform that must be worn by all RRC members wishing to enter and compete at a regatta. This uniform must also be registered with Rowing Victoria (RV) so umpires and other rowing officials can identify the club/school competing.
Gerry has been working with Susie Palfreyman (Designer Paintworks) and JL racing to design a ‘new look’ zootie for the club as we enter our 150th year, and one that takes advantage of new fabrics that now exist and used in modern sportswear.
A few reasons behind the proposal to change the official RRC uniform

  • Over the last few years zootie manufacturers have increased the cost of making the current RRC uniform due to the number of panels required in our current design. If members wanted to use high tech fabric for their zootie, these costs would increase again making it quite expensive.
  • Most current suits are made from polycotton (given the price point) which also have a tendency to hold on to water (i.e. not dry quickly) and have poor wicking capabilities. These combined mean that polycotton can be uncomfortable when wet and cause the rower to get colder than perhaps if they were wearing more advanced fabrics.
  • Additionally polycotton does not hold its shape or colour as well as newer high tech fabrics.
  • JL unisex suits are well made, have a flattering V front and extra lining on the rear. The fabric they use have excellent wicking properties, extra support and as a result are very comfortable.
  • JL make their zooties in two pieces, meaning there are options for varying sizing e.g. and smaller top and a larger bottom, or extra length in the body or legs.

Reasons against changing

  • As noted above, all members competing in a regatta for RRC must wear the official uniform that has been registered with RV. Consequently if we decide to change the uniform all members will have to purchase a new zootie/shorts and top in order to complete for the club this season. Racing members would therefore be required to spend a minimum of approximately $80-90.

So what are the options?
Gerry and Susie have come up with two options.


Option 1

  • This option retains the current design but removes the vertical side stripe (MUBC did this a few years ago and the result is a cleaner look which is also more flattering and comfortable).
  • Cost approx $82. Note: this is based on high tech fabric – polycotton would be cheaper.

Option 2

  • This option adopts a more vertical look. The yellow contrast is also more vertical in orientation.
  • Cost approx $87. Note: this is based on high tech fabric – polycotton would be cheaper.

Both versions retain the RRC logo on the front. The same designs can be made in top and bottom for those who prefer racing in separates rather than a one piece.
Also see the RRC Rangeboard. Although the above designs have been prepared by Designer Paintworks other manufacturers, such as Oarsome and Rowbust, could also make the new design if adopted by the club, so it is possible that prices may vary. (Prices listed are based on bulk orders and include freight. (It would be more expensive to order one by one)
Next steps
While the design of the club uniform is something that the Committee can decide on without consulting members, the Committee believes this is an important issue and one that all members should have an opportunity to say whether they think it should change and what it should change to.
As agreed at the AGM all eligible members (i.e. those with a current membership) are invited to vote:

  1. Should RRC change its current official racing uniform? Yes/No
  2. Ifthe uniform were to change which option would you prefer?
    1. Option 1, or
    2. Option 2

Making it fair – the process
Given changing the uniform is an important decision the Committee has decided on the following rules/criteria in which to determine whether the vote is valid.

  1. In order for the survey to be considered valid – a minimum of 45 members need to participate/respond to the questions posed. This number is approximately 50% of our membership base.
    For example:
  • If only 40 members respond to the survey, the committee will deem that not enough members have participated and as such the uniform wouldn’t change.
  • Even if you don’t think the uniform should change, please participate in the survey and indicate your preference – as it is important all members take an active role in club decisions/changes
  1. Of the 45 responses received, a minimum of 30 responses (two thirds) must choose ‘Yes’ for the club to change the uniform.
  2. If 30 or more members who respond to the survey vote in favour of changing the uniform, the option that gets the most votes will be the one that the club adopts.
    Note: Even if you don’t think the uniform should change, your views regarding which option you prefer are still sought.

To participate please follow the following link – http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/ZG998HV. The survey will be open for 2 weeks and will close at midnight on 3 September 2012.
If you have any questions regarding the new design options or would like to view the samples – please contact Gerry Goss ([email protected]). In addition if you have any questions regarding the above described process – please contact Emma Catford ([email protected]).
Thanks
Emma

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First Aid Training Available

St John’s is running a first aid training course in Flemington on Thursday 21 June at 7.30pm.
The course gives hands on training across all the basics of first aid including CPR and using a defibrillator, all within 2 hours!
Cost is only $35 per person
To book go to http://www.trybooking.com/BMFC.
The course will be held at St Brendan’s Kindergarten, 25 Bryant Street, Flemington

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Redevelopment news

Hello all

In addition to the clubs successes on the water this year, we have also been ’clinking’ off the water as well. As many of you know the club has been working on a number of different, yet converging issues,
regarding renewal of our lease, a precinct management plan, a club liquor licence and of course a major redevelopment of the clubhouse. Over the last 6-months in particular the committee has made
significant headway in achieving our desired outcomes.
Next month, Continue reading “Redevelopment news”

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2012 Albert Park Lake Masters Regatta

Saturday 14th April marked yet another very successful Regatta for Richmond Rowing Club. It was truly inspiring to see the club spirit in action. We had 28 plus rowers competing and numerous others on the bank enjoying the sunshine and cheering on the crews.
The competition as always was tough as each rower was pushed and responded by digging deep in true Tiger spirit. Congratulations to all the rowers each and every one of you put in 110% and all deserve to be winners with bling around your necks.
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The day was filled with great results for the club Continue reading “2012 Albert Park Lake Masters Regatta”

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RRC Trivia Night – March 17 @ RRC the Boathouse

Fantastic auction prizes Games BYO food, but do not BYO drink. As with any good race, be at the start line for a quick start, at 7pm.
The entry fee is being kept at an inflation busting $20. Book yourself a place by e-mailing Mike O’Neil on [email protected].
Prizes for the quiz winners and the best dressed / best decorated table and your chance to pick up a bargain or a holiday in a French villa at the famous RRC trivia night auction.

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We Came, We Hunted, We Collected

Woke up this morning,
from the strangest dream
I was in the biggest army,
The world has ever seen
We were marching as one,
on the road to the holy grail
OK so we didn’t have Mark Seymour on the road with us, but RRC still had a holy grail of the sprint regatta season: the opportunity to row on the 2000 Olympic rowing course at the Sydney International Regatta Centre (SIRC), Penrith. Under the glow of the Olympic Rings, what a 5 ring SIRC-us it was to perform in and to hopefully secure a medal on the presentation dias.
An RRC squad of 35 hit the road and the air to seek fortune and glory the weekend of the 09th and 10th April, to proudly represent their club, Richmond with the painted-but-not-tainted claws of a tiger and the shrill, chill haka from Lone Grey Goosen echoing in our heads for daily inspiration.
The New South Wales Grade State Championships are a hotly contested regatta, represented by over 42 Rowing Clubs. We quickly realised that our competition was not only NSW Clubs, however International Rowing Clubs including Hanoi (professional rowing squad representing Vietnam…. in Australia for a 6 week training camp) We were also up against crews from Canberra, Surfers Paradise, Brisbane, Barwon, the Sunshine Coast and others.
Women’s Squad Results
Umm pretty good actually. Big fields in the sculling events, lots of strong wins through the qualifying heats and semis. We were able to show strength and staying power across all grades entered, and as a squad we proved to be distinctly better than almost all takers in the first & final sweep events.

WC8+ Gold
WD8+ Gold
WC4+ Gold – Pump up the Jam, pump it up!
WD4+ 4th in final
WC4X Bronze (Professional Hanoi crew pot hunting for Gold)
WD4X Silver
WC2X Zara/Sophie 5th in semi
WD2X Rochelle/Kate (endearingly titled, Pocket Rockets, with rival club members asking while they were on the dias, ‘are they your club coxes’?)
(you should have seen the size of their competition)
WD2X Karen/Leonie 5th in final (Won their heat and 2nd in Semi)
WC1X Kate (blown away in the final…Penrith unleashed her winds)
WC1X Rachael (conserved her strength in the heat for…)
WD1X Rachael Silver
And that meant that each women’s squad member received at least one medal. Their coach is mightily impressed with their dedication, willingness to reach for new heights and competitive spirit.
They are all pretty happy with how it went too. Did we mention crushing strong performer Leichardt? Yeah, did that. Big-noting Griffith Uni Surfers Paradise? Yup.
Man Squad Results (as overheard by the women’s squad)
Yeah so Sam and Nick cheated by actually training but I suppose good on them to win Gold in the C double. Then Nick in the single, what is he on anyway, and where can I get some? Oh yeah, Sam showed us all up with a Bronze in the B single, and then pimped his citizenship for Silver in an exhibitionist race against Hanoi, won by some Balmain guy with a pot.
Man Squad Results
MC2x – Gold
MB1x – Bronze
M1x (sprint) – Silver
Women’s Squad Results (as overheard by man squad)
M1: “Chicks did alright, eh.”
M2: “Whatever”
Social Correspondent’s Report
Darlings, we all know what happens at Penrith stays at Penrith.
So your social correspondent is simply unable to make sense of any of the following late breaking stories:
• man squad’s repressed competitiveness. Gosh, which really is the fastest way to Penrith?
• a little boy lost in Woolworths
• the true meaning of “a glass of wine with dinner”
• did the quarry start work early or was Captain B.C. Snoralot crowing the dawn?
• one male rower’s fructose-friendly product endorsement of Gordon’s
• Nick’s special relationship with Dijon mustard
Finally however we look to the dear reader to enlighten us on an announcement to the packed regatta crowd of the name of the NZ river where Sam Morrison won his international sprint regatta title. Just as it was announced we were distracted by a stray 6-pack, so dites-moi was it:
• North End
• Living End
• Whakapapa
• Fukatani
• all BS to begin with
We started out, seeking fortune and glory, it’s a short song, but it’s a hell of story….. How the Tigers went to Sydney Town and bathed in the Holy Grail.
All the locals scattered, they were hiding after the row
We were so far from home, but man did we know,
there’d be nothing left to plunder as we
Coveted the Holy Grail!
Well done Tigers, Our Richmond Rowing Family the Schoutens and Derek for following every race on Tiger Wheels making sure we did our best!
Derek Begg with Rochelle Stokes