All Action at All Schools

All Action at All Schools!

Rounding out the biggest post-COVID All Schools Season was a State Champs to remember. Swan River Rowing Club did an exceptional job hosting - Captain Lia Franklin entertaining the crowd on commentary, a BBQ so damn good they sold out at lunch time, and a team manning the bake sale and doing their best to meet the massive demand for caffeine. Thanks to SRRC for their hard work and to all the spectators who contributed to their fundraising efforts. 

A huge thank you as always to our Boat Race Officials who did a fantastic job problem solving on the fly and keeping the show on the road. 

You can find all medal presentations photos on our Facebook album, here.

Guildford Grammar School retained their 2022 title as Champion School with an 80-point lead over Runners Up, Shenton College. Consistent performances across the board (including medals in three out of four Coxed Eight events) earned GGS their points. 

Total Points:

1. Guildford - 302
2. Shenton - 218.5
3. JTC - 176
4. Iona - 98
5. Perth Modern - 12

A number of clubs took part, and although clubs can't earn points for the Champion School trophy, they certainly had some outstanding performances. Fremantle Rowing Club topped the Overall Medal Table, with ANA in Second and Iona in Third. 

One of the closest races of the day was the Final of the Schoolboys Open Single - a battle for the line between Swan River's Harry Salfinger and Fremantle's Oscar Lourie left them seperated by just 0.78 seconds with Salfinger taking home the bikkies. A similarly tiny margin, 0.71 seconds, was all that split the Schoolboys Year 10 Double - ANA's Morris-Luck/Coles combination triumped over West Australian Rowing Club's Round/McDonald.

Harry Salfinger, Winner of the SBO1x, with RWA President David Rose

If there was a prize for most convincing win of the regatta, it would go to the Iona SGY102x entry of Juliet Kelly and Charlotte Hansen-Knarhoi (coached by Keely Atchison). The Iona girls opened an impressive 33 second gap over their competition over the 1000m race, demonstrating that the ability in the double scull that won them a Bronze Medal at the 2023 Nationals is alive and well. 

Juliet Kelly (L) and Charlotte Hansen-Knarhoi (R), Winners of the SGY102x, with Phil Gregson (Healthways)

The best-prepared athlete of the regatta must have been SRRC's Greta Spencer, who was so fresh off the back of her World Under 19 Rowing Championships campaign that I think she was still jetlagged. Her dedication to continuing SRRC's winning streak in the OMix4x+ is impressive and all the extra race prep obviously paid off - the crew of Potma, Spencer, Salfinger, McCarthy and coxed by Miller-Furesh (coached by Lachy van de Ven) put several lengths of clear water into the rest of the field. 

(L-R) Spencer, Potma, McCarthy, Salfinger and Miller-Furesh, with Phil Gregson (Healthways)

Healthways WA, through their Act Belong Commit initiative, have kindly sponsored the All Schools season again this year. Rowers who visited the ABC Mindfulness Zone at the regatta found colouring activities, plenty of merch (including very popular Yo-Yos) and comfy cushions to relax on. Medal winners were able to take home an ABC bucket hat, water bottle or rugby socks for their win - a few small gestures to say 'well done' for committing to their sport, and belonging to a community like ours! The Act Belong Commit message is a simple approach that we can all adopt to be calmer, happier and able to cope best with the problems and stress that happens every day in our lives.