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Happy 2025 everyone! 

Sad to report that this is my final newsletter before my last day at RWA this Friday. Thank you to everyone who reads this (and a big thank you to everyone who replies with nice feedback), it was a treat to receive 50 out of office replies every time I sent it! Kidding - what a privilege to be able to work in service of an amazing community made up of people like yourselves!! Thanks for everything and see you around.

Cheers, Izzie

This edition of Oar Talk...

• Beach Sprint Regattas

• PSA Racing

• Rowing Radiance Indoor Rowing Program

• Pathway Nominations Open

• Masters State Team EOI Open

• Level 2 Coaching Course

• Club Corner

  • WARC Boat Naming

• Amazing PBR Deal!

• RA on the search for Team Managers

Cover photo: Beach Sprints 1!

Get Involved with Oar Talk:

• Do you have a rowing photo you want to feature as the cover photo? Send it through to devops@rowingwa.asn.au!
• Do you want to write a Guest Article for the newsletter? It could be an opinion piece or a story from the community. Pick a topic & let us know you're keen - devops@rowingwa.asn.au. We want to highlight the stories and perspectives of the community!!

Well, we did it folks. 

We got the first EVER WA Beach Sprints regatta off the ground and it was a huge, sweaty, sandy success. (And we can't wait to do it again this weekend - Beach Sprints 2 is going to be so much fun!)

And by 'we' - I mean the huge team of staff, volunteers and Boat Race Officials who pulled together!

Thank you to the 35 athletes and boat holders (who - let's face it - were just as athletic as the rowers when the Freo Doctor rolled in) who graced Leighton Beach with their bravery and skill on Sunday 19 Jan. Blake Whyatt, resident Beach Sprints Ambassador, took to the microphone and kept everyone entertained and informed throughout the morning.

Racing started at 7:30am after a few teething problems getting all our equipment out onto the beach. The time trials for the Male Solo kicked off proceedings, pathfinder Luke Porteous leading the way, followed by the Female Solo TT. Some great racing early on led to some tight finishes in the Semi Final and Final Rounds, and we crowned Holly Cannon (FRC) and Austin Vincent (FRC) winners of their respective events. 

Once we got the Mixed Doubles underway, the wind had picked up and we were looking at a tight timeline to get racing done before it got too treacherous. Thankfully our competitors were keen to get on the water and worked quickly to get organised for Round 1. The Semi Final between Walsh/Gearing (WARC) and Vincent/Jeannerat (FRC) produces the most thrilling finish of the day - a true photo finish with a dive for the finish bucket!! The winners of that tussle, Austin Vincent and Laetitia Jeannerat, took out top honours for the day to make it an all-Freo medal tally.

Click the image below to watch the video of the day!

PSA racing kicks off next Saturday and, as always, Rowing WA will have all the results for you on RowingManager.

Last year's First VIII winners, Hale, will be looking for a strong showing at their first 200m hit out - but CCGS, just one second behind the mark at HOR, likely to be hot on their heels!

But who knows what's gone down in the last 12 months since those crews finished racing? New coaches, new rowers, new directions - anything is possible.

Best of luck to all PSA crews over the next few months of racing.

The PSA Head of the River will be held on 22 March.

Head here for more information and how to register!

Nominations for the 2025 Pathway Team are now open!

💛 Year 10s, 11s & 12s - it’s time to nominate for the 2025 Pathway Team!!

🖤 This is YOUR chance to represent WA on the National stage, going head to head with the fastest school rowers from the other states.

🚣🏽 The Pathway Regatta will be held in Sydney from 13 - 17 April - and along the way, you’ll make some amazing friends, and take your rowing to the next level.

🤩 You may even come home with some medals like the 2023 and 2024 teams did!!

Nominations Close: Friday 21 February 2025 (5pm)

Pathway Regatta: 13th - 17th April 2025

You can read the Pathway VIII Selection Policy HERE

Event Requirements

Click here for the 2025 Schoolboys Event Requirements

Click here for the 2025 Schoolgirls Event Requirements

Nomination Forms

Click here to nominate for the Schoolboys Pathway Team

Click here to nominate for the Schoolgirls Pathway Team

Coaches: EOIs welcome

If you're interested in volunteering to coach the Pathway squad, please contact Tom Gatti to express your interest.

For any questions regarding the Pathways Program contact Tom Gatti at: tgatti@wais.org.au

We are inviting Expressions of Interest for the 2025 Masters State Team!

Fill out the EOI form here: https://www.rowingwa.asn.au/surveys/7335

EOIs close on Sunday 2 February - RWA will contact nominees next week to coordinate the Meet & Greet session where crews can start to form, in preparation for training and the selection regatta.

We also invite coaches who are interested in working with the Masters State crews to contact Nick at gmoperations@rowingwa.asn.au. This is an excellent opportunity to further your coaching skills, get some experience working with dedicated and talented athletes, or contribute in a meaningful way to the community in a way that transcends club lines.

More information can be found here!

Congratulations to the following coaches who successfully passed their Level 2 coaching practical a few weekends ago:

Wallace Cheung

Matt Watson

Luke Matthews

Thomas Blayney

Jacki Morrell

Chris Gardiner

Harry Hansen-Knarhoi

A huge thank you to the West Australian Rowing Club who generously loaned their shed space for us to undertake this day-long training, and to Tom Gatti (WAIS) for facilitating a great day.

"On Sunday 22nd December, Westies members, friends and family gathered to celebrate the naming of our new Women’s Eight after life member Catriona Walker.

Catriona’s contribution to WARC and rowing in Western Australia is immeasurable and often flies well under the radar. In addition to significant involvement and life membership at Rowing WA; over 20+ years at Westies, Catriona has been a dedicated athlete, coach, volunteer, supporter and mentor. She is an ever-present guiding force at the Club, often working quietly and humbly behind the scenes.

We are privileged to have such a selfless contributor as Catriona in our sport and our club, and we are honoured to dedicate this new addition to our fleet in her name.

We thank all members, friends, family and other members of the rowing community who attended and made the boat naming such a lovely morning!"

Free upgrade!! Supporting Australian Rowing since 2018, PBR would like to give back to the rowing community. Offering a free upgrade to Carbon Pro when you order a Carbon Elite crew boat between now and the 31st March 2025. For further details, please contact PBR's WA Rep, Rene Brovelli, on rene@pbrowing.com.au or on 0481995443

Rowing Australia is calling for expressions of interest for the 2025 Australian Under 23,  and Under 19 Team Manager positions. The Team Manager must be available to attend the following domestic and international activities for the respective team: 

NB: These respective Team Manager roles are not paid positions with Rowing Australia. All travel, accommodation and meals costs during the nominated activities, training camps and touring will be covered by Rowing Australia.

Click here to view the Position Description

Click here to nominate

Expressions of interest will close at 5pm AEDT on Monday 10 February 2025. If you have any questions about the information contained in this form or the role of Team Manager, please contact Wayne Diplock at wdiplock@rowingaustralia.com.au