Welcome to the final edition of Oar Talk for 2023!

I want to take this opportunity to say a huge thank you to everyone who reads Oar Talk on the regular, it has been a lot of fun taking the reins and I hope it has been a source of (if nothing else) connection and information for you. We have so much amazing stuff happening in our community and I love helping bring it to you. Happy holidays to you all & see you bright eyed and bushy tailed in the New Year.

Anyway!!

This edition...

The 2023 WA Wrap Up
Kerryn visits the NTC
Masters State Team
WinTech Competition Winner
TID Camp
Swannies Holiday Camps
ANA Learn to Row Programs
Boys in the Boat & Club Movie Fundraisers
RA Senior & U23 Trials
Sponsor & Partner Thank You

Credit for banner photo: Pat Boere

What a year it's been!!

We've put together a little reflection on the past 12 months with some highlights from each month. There has been so much going on that it's easy to let it slip by without taking stock. We haven't put everything in there - if you or your club wants to get in on the fun, make sure you post on social media, tag us and use the hashtag #YeahWA2023 to celebrate!

Click here for the month-by-month review!

RWA Board Member, Kerryn Briody, visited the Hancock Prospecting Women's National Training Centre last month and caught up with the WA girls!

Kerryn says "I had a nice visit to the NTC! Annabelle & Jacqui were smashing out a very intense weights session while I was there & Bronwyn arrived for the second session - had a great chat to our girls! I med John & Ellen (NTC coaches) who hosted me and introduced me to everyone on site. I felt decidedly short!!"

Reminder that nominations for the Masters State Team close TONIGHT at midnight!

Rowers and Coxswains register using this link

Click here to read up on the requirements, key dates & more!

Photos: Top - 2023 Women's Masters Eight, Bottom - 2023 Men's Masters Quad (Silver medallists!)

Alan Barry, President of Canning Bridge Rowing Club (formerly Murdoch Uni Rowing Club) and Coach recently won the competition held at last month's RWA 2023 Coaching & Officiating Conference. Participants were asked to submit custom designs for a Wintech Boat. Alan designed a bespoke livery that was the “winner”. For his efforts he won a scale model of a WinTech International Single Scull - the perfect centrepiece for the Christmas lunch table we think!!

We'd like to thank WinTech for their support not only of the Conference but for their ongoing support to the community.

"If over Christmas and New Year you or your Club need either WinTech or generic rowing spares parts, WinTech is now stocking in Perth spare parts to support the Western Australian Rowing Community. From slide bolts and wing nuts to trestles and fins we can help you."

Please contact either:

Nicky Cato on 0438201394 or

Vanessa Grant on 0481066092

Photo: Alan and Nicky with his prize!

The 2023 crop of Talent ID athletes is in Adelaide this week for their first interstate camp! 13 athletes have travelled with coaches Alex Thompson and Keely Atchison for a few days of great training down at West Lakes. These camps are an important stepping stone for these new rowers - exposure to a new environment, rowing with other athletes & being pushed outside their comfort zone! We hope they have a great camp.

A massive thank you to SASI, Rowing SA, Adelaide Rowing Club, Adelaide Uni Boat Club and Pembroke School for all their assistance with equipment and facilities.

Photo: some of the TID rowers at West Lakes! Credit: Keely Atchison

SRRC School Holiday Camps

"Attention all rowers in Years 7-9 📣 Due to popular demand Swans is adding not one but TWO camps for rowers in Years 7-9 🦢 Want to refine your sculling technique? Get a head start on the rest of your competition? Be coached by State and Australian Team representatives? Then come along to an SRRC Summer Rowing Camp and discover how Swans can make your boat go faster ☀️🦢 Places are limited so to enrol or to know more about the camp, email: headcoach@srrc.org.au

Whether you're new to rowing or looking to stay in the A Crew, we cater for all abilities. So come along and make new friendships in a fun environment! 🚣‍♂️🦢☀️"

ANA Rowing Club's Juniors' Learn to Row Course is back this January!

"This is a great opportunity for juniors (12-18 years) to learn to row during the school holidays!

Dates: Monday 8 January to Friday 12 January 2024
Time: 8am to approximately 9:30am each day
Cost: $100 per person
Places are limited, so book now!
Contact: learntorow@anarowingclub.org.au

More information here: https://www.anarowingclub.org.au/learn-to-row/"

ANA's Learn to Row Regatta program is also back in 2024 with their regatta taking place in March.

"This program is for those wishing to learn to row in a group. Four friends, work colleagues or complete strangers are coached for five sessions and then take part in 500m racing! It is a fun way to learn how to row and is a great team-building exercise.

The Learn To Row Regatta is open to everyone with little or no experience or those who haven’t competed for 10 years. Crews can be women, men or mixed. Costumes are part of the fun!"

Click here for more information

"This movie will do for rowing what Top Gun did for the Navy!" - Yaz Farooq (UW Women's Head Coach)

The biggest rowing movie ever is about to hit a movie theatre near you - officially being released on January 4th 2023 here in Australia.

"Based on the best-selling book about the inspirational true story of the 1936 University of Washington rowing team that competed for gold at the Summer Olympics in Berlin." Some of the rowing community have had a sneak-peek thanks to Universal Pictures and Rowing Australia & absolutely loved it - a classic rowing story adapted into a brilliant movie!

Support local clubs at the same time by heading along to a screening that doubles as a fundraiser:

7th Jan - ANA Rowing Club: https://www.trybooking.com/CNVLN

13th Jan - Perth Rowing Club: https://www.perthrowingclub.org.au/events/217900/