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Happy Friday everyone!!

We are just around the corner from the first bout of local racing this year - PSA 1 (hosted by Trinity College) kicks off next weekend at Champion Lakes. Exciting time of year for those of us following the WA group heading to Nationals & vying for State and National Team selection especially in an Olympic year!

Anyway - this fortnight's news...

• PSA Season Update
• Nationals Season Update
• Making Waves WinTech Fleet Upgrade
• Lara's in the Office!
• Pathway Nominations
• RA's call for Nominations - World University Championships
• Safety Reminder
• Vale Terry Smith
• Club Corner
  • Fremantle Ergathon Fundraiser 
  • ANA Rec Rowers on Film

Cover photo: Aquinas College rowers at a PSA regatta. Photographer unknown but we would love to know!!

After 11 months of waiting, training, a little head race action, and more training... the PSA rowers are finally ready for their first bout of side by side lane racing!! 

Last year's Head of the River was dominated by Trinity College, under the leadership of Phil Jurjevic, who took out nine of the twelve events on offer. Will we see TC's reign continue this year or will another school show their colours? Success begets success, but on occasion can create an uncomfortable pressure to meet those high expectations - that pressure is a certainly a challenge for any young person to overcome.

No doubt some of the other schools approached this season with a view to lift their standards to meet and exceed those of Trinity, and over the next two months we will see how their preparation through the pre-season and their ability to learn from each racing opportunity shapes each crew's performance come March 23.

There's no putting it off any longer -  time for them to put their hands in the metaphorical fire and see who can hang on with poise and purpose the longes! We are looking forward to seeing the racing unfold & wish the best of luck to all athletes, coaches & supporters.

The 2024 PSA Calendar

10th February: PSA Regatta 1, hosted by Trinity College

17th February: PSA Regatta 2, hosted by Christ Church Grammar

24th February: PSA Regatta 3, hosted by Wesley College

9th March: PSA Regatta 4, hosted by Scotch College

16th March: PSA Regatta 5, hosted by Hale School

23rd March: PSA Head of the RIver, hosted by Aquinas College

Although our Pennant racing takes place over the winter months here in WA, the Southern & Eastern states are mid-way through their competitive seasons. The Aussie National Champs is taking place in late March, and with a healthy contingent of WA atheltes aiming for success at that regatta, it's about time for a little update!

In order to access meaningful and competitive racing to prepare for Nationals, a popular strategy is to head to Penrith NSW to race in some of their "local" regattas. I say "local" but they're extremely popular - clubs from Vic, QLD & beyond all gather to compete there. NSW Small Boats Regatta was last Saturday and we saw some great signs of things to come from a number of WA-based crews - notably Alex Rossi (WARC/WAIS) winning the Men's Elite Double Scull with Marcus Della Marta from SUBC, Holly Cannon and Charlotte Broad (both FRC) earning Silver in both the Women's U23 Pair and U23 Double, and a few other exciting podium finishes. Next week's NSW State Champs expects almost as many athletes as Nationals does - you can anticipate highly competitive racing across the three-day regatta. We'll be posting some updates across our socials if you want to keep up to date during the weekend, or you can watch for yourself on their regatta site.

A group of 1800 or so athletes across the country have their aim firmly set on the National Championships in crew or State team boats - and an even more elite group are gunning for National Team selection. NSW State Champs doubles as a Selection Event for the Olympic, Paralympic, Under 23 and Under 21 teams - so crews in this regatta will be ready to put their best foot forward and impress selection panels to score an invite to Rowing Australia's Selection Trials (or in the case of the Under 21s - who are ultimately selected off their Nationals results - get their attention!). 

We are excited to follow the action interstate in the lead up to Nationals & team selection and will keep the community in the loop!

Making Waves has had a huge facelift with the arrival of eight brand new WinTech boats!

Today Rowing WA unwrapped their brand new fleet of shiny Wintech boats, that will be used exclusively by the Making Waves program. The program uses rowing to teach disadvantaged kids new life skills. The program based out of Champion Lakes, supports over 500 kids per year and these new boats will supplement the ageing fleet which was largely donated to the program by generous clubs, schools & individuals. With the program taking on Club status in 2023 and these beautiful new boats arriving just in time for Term 1 program commencement, these students from schools in the local Armadale area will have the tools necessary to develop skills that will help their personal growth and development.

Without the support of partners like Wintech, these sort of opportunities would not be made possible. The 4 singles, 2 pair/doubles and 2 quad/fours will provide are a great addition to the existing fleet, providing quality boats for these kids to take the next step into competitive rowing.

Thank you to Nicky Cato, Vanessa Grant (both WA Reps for Wintech) and Lachy van de Ven (Making Waves Coordinator) for their help in transporting, unwrapping & racking the boats over the last two days. 

Lara Glendinning has officially commenced in her role as Rowing WA's School Development Officer this week!

Lara says:

“I am super excited about joining the RWA team in the newly created role of Schools Development Officer. Being part of the WA rowing community for the past 11 years has been an incredibly rewarding journey, and now, extending that experience into this role to support and develop the next generation of rowers and coxswains fills me with much enthusiasm. I look forward to working closely with clubs and schools across WA to increase participation and improve retention of our school-aged athletes. I am committed to ensuring this role contributes to the growth and success of WA rowing, and can’t wait to see where it takes us in 2024 and beyond.”

You can contact her with any school-related enquiries at schooldev@rowingwa.asn.au.

Nominations are now open for the 2024 Pathway Team

Q: What is the Pathway Team?

It’s designed to help young athletes experience the next level of rowing, meet other rowers, and represent our state for the first time.

Each state selects its 12 fastest Schoolgirl and Schoolboy rowers to race in big boats at the Pathway Regatta.

The Pathway Regatta is part of the National Underage Trials, held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre

Q: What happens if I get selected?

If selected in the team, you’ll head across to SIRC with the rest of Team WA in April.

At the Pathway Regatta, you’ll pull on your WA Zootie & go head to head over 2000m against the other State Pathway crews.

You’ll also make a bunch of friends, tour the NTCs, meet some of the Rowing Australia big dogs & level up your rowing under experienced coaches!

And for some of you, it will be the start of a long and successful journey in the WA State Zootie!

Note for the Schoolboys - you won’t be asked to complete any training or selection events for the Pathway Team until AFTER the PSA Head of the River!

How to Nominate

Check out the Event Requirements

Fill out the relevant form to nominate by Feb 23

Schoolgirls nominate here

Schoolboys nominate here

More information here

Email Tom Gatti (WAIS) tgatti@wais.org.au with any questions

Photo: The 2023 WA Pathway Team

Rowing Australia is calling for Expressions of Interest for the 2024 

World University Championships (WUC) Australian Team in Rotterdam, Netherlands, 4 – 6 July.

ELIGIBILITY: Athletes attempting selection in the WUC Team must be at least 18 and no older than 25 years of age on the 31st December 2024 (i.e. athletes must be born between 01/01/1999 and 31/12/2006). Athletes must be currently enrolled in, and proceeding towards, a diploma or higher at a recognised higher education institution (as per TEQSA register). Athletes who have graduated from a diploma or higher in the 12 months prior to the event are also eligible.

If you have any queries regarding WUC Team nominations or eligibility, please contact Jason Lane (jlane@rowingaustralia.com.au).

Expressions of interest are to be submitted online via the link below and will close 5:00 PM AEDT, Thursday 8 February.

• Access the online expression of interest form here
• Further detail regarding WUC Event Requirements and Academic Eligibility can be found on their website

Recent updates to Department of Transport requirements mean that all registrable vessels (anything that is propelled by mechanical power - like your coaching tinny!!) must carry enough lifejackets for every person on board.

These must be a minimum Level 100.

So if you have yourself coaching plus two injured athletes out to spectate for the morning - you need three lifejackets. If you have a group of parents out for a joyride, you need enough for all of them. At this stage dogs who are being emotional support animals for you during a session do not need a lifejacket however they would look really cute with one.

In all seriousness, every rower and coach should be familar with Rowing WA's On-Water Safety Guidelines, which will undergo frequent updates to stay relevant and useful. The RWA Safe Clubs Working Group, chaired by board member Genevieve Cleary, meets regularly and last reviewed this document in October 2023. 

Rowing WA was saddened to learn of the passing of community stalwart Terry Smith on 12 January 2024. 

Rowing WA was a significant beneficiary to Terry’s generosity over several decades. Through his business interests, Terry supplied (and in the earlier days installed) many of the electrical systems at the Canning Bridge Rowing Centre at no or very limited cost. In more recent years, Terry provided consulting advice around the electrical and solar systems designed as part of the recent building upgrade including the The Rowing Pavilion. A true gentlemen, with a kind smile and a huge heart that he shared with many throughout the WA rowing community.

The following summary of Terry’s remarkable impact on the sport locally is taken, with permission, from ANA’s Glyn Heath and Denys Warren:

“Terry was a very active ANA racing member during the early 1970s and a key contributor to ANA securing the Rowing WA overall points Pennant in 1975 - the first since the Barrack Street shed burnt down in the 1960s. The club has only secured this achievement once since then.

Terry served as club president between 1975 and 1981, including during some very turbulent years for the club. Terry proposed the successful resolution to admit women as full members in 1977. Together with John Kirwan, he worked to modernize the constitution of the club, leading to its incorporation under the Associations Incorporations Act in the early 1980s. Terry continued to row non-competitively at Canning Bridge with ANA until the Club relocated to Bayswater and from the Perth and Murdoch sheds subsequently.

Terry was present for the Centenary dinner and the boat christening at the beginning of 2023.”

Phil Jurjevich, currently the Director of Rowing at Trinity College where Terry coached the First VIII in 1984-85, reminisced on Terry’s influence:

“Terry had a significant impact on me and Trinity Rowers during his time at the College. He inspired me and many rowers to continue rowing after school, and he did so himself. He had a love for the sport that has passed on to others and was generous with his energy and knowledge.”

In bidding farewell to Terry Smith, we honor his impactful legacy in the rowing community, where his passion and generosity have left an enduring mark. Our heartfelt condolences go out to his family and friends, and may his memory resonate in the waters he cherished so deeply.

Photo: Terry (navy blazer third from the right) at the 2022 ANA Annual Dinner.
 

From FRC's club Comms Officer Jacob Cassey:

"Off the back of one of the most successful years in the history of the Fremantle Rowing Club, we are looking to continue our success at the upcoming National Championships and NSW State Championships in Penrith, NSW. We will be sending a mighty 23 athletes and 3 coaches for the National Championships to NSW to compete with the best Australia has to offer with most athletes competing for a seat in a State boat with some even looking for a spot on the Australian team. On average it costs each athlete $2,500 to travel and compete in NSW, so we are asking for your help to send some of the best talent WA has to offer to the top stage in the nation.

To help fundraise, we will be hosting a 24 Hour Ergathon at the Swan Yacht Club on the 2nd and 3rd of February. Feel free to head on down, grab a drink and cheer us on through the next grueling 24 hours from 3pm. We ask that you please give what you can even if it's just an encouraging cheer during those 24 hrs. If you want to hop on the erg as well and help out you are more than welcome."

If you would like to donate, the link to their GoFundMe site is:

https://gofund.me/11dc1f3a

LiveLighter's Move More campaign has highlighted ANA Recreational Squad member Mel in their latest campaign video!

We all know rowing is incredible for physical and mental health, and now over 50,000 Youtube users have seen that as well through Mel's story and the gorgeous video accompanying it.

"Rowing is Mel's passion. When she rows, she feels energised and says its really fun being out on the water. Find out more at livelighter.com.au/being-active"

Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGP6ype5ipc