10th February 2023

Welcome to another edition of Oar Talk - keeping the rowing WA community up to date with all things rowing.

Featured in this fortnight's edition is Laurie Anderson who was presented with the Rowing WA "Award of Merit" for recognition of his services to the wider rowing community in WA.

Book your tent site now for the 2023 Australian Rowing Championships - more details below.

If you're not already doing it, then tune into the livestream of the 2023 NSW Rowing Championships & cheer on our West Aussie rowers currently competing!

Happy Friday Everyone!

Laurie Anderson | Rowing WA Award of Merit

On Tuesday 31st January, Rowing WA took great pleasure in honouring a long-standing & exceptional member of the rowing community - Laurie Anderson. It was a pleasure to attend this event held at the Oarhouse Cafe down by ANA Rowing Club on the beautiful banks of the Bayswater foreshore.

Family & friends from all walks of Laurie's life gathered in the morning sunlight enjoying coffee & delicious treats served by the cafe staff while being able to chat directly with Laurie onscreen via a livestream.

David Rose, Rowing WA President officiated the presentation ceremony with a moving & incredibly detailed recount of Laurie's amazing contribution to rowing over the decades.

Click HERE to read David's speech

Meet Isabelle Day | RWA's New Development & Operations Coordinator

Rowing WA are excited to introduce to our new Development & Operations Coordinator - Isabelle Day.

Izzie is joining us from across the Nullarbor in Adelaide, where she has been involved in rowing & coaching since 2011 through school, club, & Pathway programs.

Izzie has worked for Rowing SA & has coached most recently for Wilderness School.

We can’t wait to welcome Izzie next week!

Nominations close 5pm Friday 24th February 2023

Nominations for Schoolgirls & Schoolboys wanting to be considered for the 2023 Schools Pathway VIII Program will be closing in 2 weeks. Athletes from any secondary school in WA are eligible for selection into the RWA Pathway VIII crews.

It is a chance for young rowers to experience the national rowing selection process while making the next step in their rowing pathway. They will compete against their school counterparts from around the country while working with high-level coaches & support staff.

Click HERE for further information & to nominate

The Pathway VIII Camp will now be held on 24th - 28th April with competition racing on 27th & 28th April.

Wednesday, 15.02.2023 | Swan River Rowing Club

All nominated rowers are invited to attend the meeting next week at Swan River Rowing Club.

This meeting will allow you to chat with other rowers &, if you don’t already have a crew, put your crew together.

If you are already part of a crew & will just be training together at your club you don’t have to attend. But it is a good opportunity to get together with other like-minded athletes &have any questions answered by Rowing WA.

Click HERE to register

ARC23 - Book Your Tent Site Online Now!

Have you booked your tent site yet for the Australian Rowing Championships? If not, then you better get on it quick smart as sites are selling out quick!

Be sure to book a spot as you won't be able to just rock up & peg your tent down wherever you like!

Clubs & schools can book a tent site online through the ARC event website.

Click HERE to book now

Cheer on our WA rowers at the NSW Rowing Championships!

We have 30 combined athletes from Fremantle Rowing Club, Swan River Rowing Club ,UWA Boat Club & West Australian Rowing Club representing our great state!

In 2023, Rowing WA is again offering First Aid for Mental Health training to 1 member from each of our clubs. Courses are run by St John WA at a time & day that suits your member.

The First Aid for Mental Health course contains detailed information about stress, depression, anxiety & suicidality including examples, scenarios & skills practice. This content may be distressing or upsetting for people with lived experience, people with a severe & persistent mental illness or people who are currently experiencing symptoms associated with a mental health issue.

Please take this into consideration when enrolling to attend this training.

If you are interested please contact your Club President for the details.

Volunteer Week Grants Open!

Volunteer Week Grants are now open & Rowing WA encourages all our clubs to apply!

Supported by Lotterywest, each year during National Volunteer Week in May, Volunteering WA offers grants of up to $1,000

to fund an event or activity that celebrates volunteers during National Volunteer Week.

Volunteer-involving organisations can both acknowledge the contributions of their volunteers & also help raise awareness of the benefits of volunteering.

Acknowledge & thank your volunteers this May.

Apply for a grant today!

Women in Rowing!

Join us again this year in March for a Twilight Row to celebrate International Women's Day. Details to be confirmed.

Watch This Space!