Grafton Rowing Club News

“THE CLUB IS FOR EVERYONE OF ALL AGES YOUNG AND NOT SO YOUNG TO ENJOY A ROW, A PADDLE, MEET NEW FRIENDS AND ENJOY A DRINK OR TWO AND SOME PLEASANT COMPANY”

It was great to see so many faces at the first meeting for 2001. There was a lot discussed and some great ideas bought forward by the younger club members, and as they are the clubs future. we hope they keep those great ideas coming.

Retired Lord Chief Justice living in Israel is considering settling in Grafton and has been in touch to get more info, which will be forwarded onto him

Discussed more events to be held for the open age group, Rusty is in charge of the details Issue of cleaning of the shed after sport students use it, the School will make sure the mess is no longer an issue, if not, the students are no longer welcome to use the facilities

Working bee, (well, the flood took care of that and now has been done, some reorganization will be adopted before the next flood hits)

Reminder, for boat loading, if you are rowing a boat, Be There to help rig or de-rig, or you may turn up to row, and either the boat won't be at the Regatta, or won't be rigged, if everyone assists this will never have to be an issue

Accommodating training camps, and room for new/second hand boats, removing old unused boats, Charging rent for unused Private/School Boats, Rob's single scull purchased by the Club

Club Captain, Ken, stressed that sand and mud MUST be washed off feet before using the ERG's, also the 2000m marker is missing and needs replacing and weed control, To be taken up with necessary Local Govt bodies

Allocation of Boats, HAS TO BE GIVEN THE OK FROM CLUB CAPTAIN Ken, whether you are a Coach. Club member, School member or social rower, also a boat will be issued depending on a rower's ability, and lastly, first in gets the boat. Junior members can row club boats (with Club Captain Permission) and Club members can row School boats. (with Club Captains Permission).

Cheque was received from the Water Brigade, and the boat purchased proudly displays signage, Thanks to the Water Brigade for the Donation.

Options discussed about fuel costs, especially when GRC and GHS travel to all the Regattas.

Looking into extending the Club into upstairs area, which could be used for Visiting Rowing Clubs, Meeting room, or rent out to other clubs, only in the early stages, but we all have our fingers crossed that this will happen soon.

John Brien also has some sponsorship ideas, considering GRC is not attached to any Licensed Club, the only way this club exists is by Volunteer's and Donations and raising monies itself, any ideas would be appreciated, also the High School could help with fundraising in some way, I'm sure the great young members would have some terrific ideas.

Earl questioned the fact that GRC supports all the regatta's, and the lack of support from other clubs traveling South, everyone present felt that ALL club's should attend each regatta, NRRA will look into this matter.

The purchase of strobe lights, as this is a requirement of Rowing, and the foggy, darker mornings are not far away.

Boat Cleaning. ALL members need to clean inside and outside of the boats. especially since the flood, the mud MUST be washed off the boats inside and out, and to also check for any repairs to be reported or fixed. this will ensure all the boats have a longer rowing life.

Cockroaches in the boatshed, (well last seen heading for Yamba in the flood, which took care of the vermin for a short time.)

Next meeting to be advised, Check the Notice Board for the Date, Time and Venue. EVERYONE IS INVITED, IT JUST MIGHT BE "YOUR" IDEA WE ARE WAITING FOR

Please make sure you wash the sand and mud off your feet before getting on the Erg's, as the Ergs are complaining bitterly about all that grit and sand ahhhhhh

Rowing is a bit like life - you know pretty much where you've been, but only a rough idea of where you're headed

A view of the shed from the eastern end
on Saturday - about 6.5 metres
More flood pics

Well its a hell of a way to get a working bee done, (and only the previous night at the meeting we were wondering when to put a date down for a working bee); but with the predictions of a 7 metre flood on its way, everyone rallied to get all the boats out of the shed on Thursday afternoon (which didn't seem unreal as it had rained non stop since Tuesday evening) and just in time - by 8am Friday morning the shed had a couple of metres of water running through it and rising quickly. Most of the items were moved to higher ground on Friday morning and by 3pm the water had reached the upstairs area, and still rising.

Although there was some damage to boats and the paint brushes didn't look great after the water had receded, we didn't fair too badly.

In times like this besides the "Kit-Kat" or "Minties" moments, its really a good time to get all the unnecessary rubbish out of the shed, and have other items better organized, so next time ????!!!!????

The shed now has some nice flood lines everywhere, but a paint job will soon clear that up.

A HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who gave a hand to remove boats, fridges, oars etc out of the shed - the whole process ran smoothly and quickly.

The River peaked at 6.8 metres so the predicted 7 metres wasn't too far off - as it was, the whole shed was under water, by Saturday 2pm

The water took a long time to recede, but gave us time to keep washing away the flood mud as the river did retreat. Wednesday saw the shed really get a cleanup, the Bobcat from the Council was a welcome rescue, as there was at least 1 metre of mud in the whole shed - the Bobcat made short work of that, pushing the mud into the river, backed up by the Firemen with the hoses and brooms. More flood pics

Again THANKS to those who gave their time to help with the cleanup, (particularly when everyone was at work or school) especially Neville, Don, John S, Sarah, Scott, John B, Steve, Marty, Steve McKimm. and the school members - the list is long and I can't name everyone - you know who you are. It certainly made a "Yukky" job done quickly before the mud dried into cement.

Although .... I think the guys really liked washing the mud away with the fire hose ..... gotta really hang on, eh Thommo?! More flood pics

Also thank you to Anderson Carpets for the grass matting - it certainly helped with ALL the mud being constantly walked into the Shed.

The List is on the notice board for anyone wishing to attend - next will be the training program ???hmmmmm

Its so good to see so many faces on a Tuesday - the BBQ is a hit and the weather has made having that drink so much easier, plus a paddle and catching up on rowing goss, and meeting the GRC family. See you there

Please make sure you place you forms in the box provided, by the end of February so that your ideas and thoughts can be put into action, and any negative stuff can be fixed. If you don't have anything to provide now, there is always the next monthly meeting to come along to.

Peter Niland 4.2, Peter Hoelzl 7.2, Graham Causley 12.2, Ashley Benfield 28.2, Ann Collins 21.2, Brigitta Schwarz 12.2, Karla Brettschneider 19.2

BIRTHDAY TIP
To get what you really want, write a list in Large Black print and leave it on the fridge, no excuses for not knowing what to get you! I always start with the Lamborgini, and work my way down, (price wise)

Arms, body, slide - a simple concept, complicated by rowing coaches world wide

Luke McBeath competed in three regattas during January to gain some race practice for the State Championships (under 23 single scull) in Sydney in Mid February.

In mid January, Port Macquarie and Manning rowing clubs held their regatta's at Taree. These were both huge regatta's well attended by Sydney and Hunter clubs with 9 divisions in the men's Senior Scull events (over 50 rowers total). Luke has moved up to the Senior mens single scull and at 18 is among the youngest competitors.

On Saturday (Pt Macquarie regatta) Luke did close to his personal best (under 7.30) to come second to T. Chapman of St George in very windy conditions. On the Sunday (Manning Regatta) he won his division in a slower time on "dead" water.

Last weekend he traveled back to Taree for the Central District Championships. Natascha Cunin teamed with Luke to win the Mixed Double by 24 secs. They were able to borrow a great boat from Pt Macquarie. Congratulations to them both.

Luke won his heat in the single scullto qualify for the Final, which was held later in the day in gale force winds and torrential rain. He came a close third to the veteran John Corbett of Manning (who was obviously used to his home course conditions and is probably a champion wave/wind surfer) and Stuart McLeod of Newcastle Uni. Luke was pleased with his form, rating close to 30 most of the race and reckons it was great race practice.

Natascha struggled with the video in the rain but managed to record some of the race for coach Jim to anaylse. Well done Luke and best of luck in Sydney at the State Champs - we'll look forward to hearing how he goes.

Also attending the same regatta's were Rusty Skinner from GRC, Liz Lang from South Grafton, together with James Lang who teamed up with Rusty and rowed for Northern Rivers and Naomi Lang and Gavin Rayward rowed for Newcastle Uni. All were successful in their single scull events. Rusty and Liz won their mixed double scull division and Naomi and Gavin winning their mixed double division. Liz and Naomi combined their skills and won the womens lightweight double scull.

A Huge Congratulations to you all. It's so good to see you all do so well, and you are great Ambassadors for GRC and Grafton. I am sure Colin is very pleased with your efforts and will also do well in the State Championships in February.

Maclean rowing club was also represented by Jodie Barnier and Grant Patterson, coached by Harold Kratz, who received a first in their double scull race and Jodie coming second in her Adaptive single scull while Grant placed third in his mens under 18 single scull.

St George who trained here in Grafton for their summer camp were also successful in gaining 20 wins (Greg's aim was 30 wins, but some were injured and had food poisoning), but he was very pleased with the squad, and says Hi to everyone, and thank you

A BBQ was held for the squad before heading off to Taree. The BBQ was fabulous - what a great bunch of young people - they really enjoyed the photo albums and scrapbook, plus wanting to know all about the history of the Club.

It was also heard on 2KY Radio in Sydney, that St George was holding their summer training camp in Grafton, so look out ..... more are on the way

Also, on the subject of new friends, some of the members have heard from our Irish and Russian friends - its so nice to hear from them, and maybe we will see them back one day soon

Whilst in Melbourne for the Australian Tennis Open, Neville had the opportunity to have a paddle with the Mercantile Rowing Club's veteran "A" eight. This eight was preparing for the Head of the Yarra to be held on 3.2.01. It was quite an experience for an oarsman from Grafton. The Yarra is very windy and a whole lot narrower than our Clarence.

The Vet "A" 8 crew have their own boat which is a refurbished Empacha, and very nice to row. The crew were a friendly bunch, very much like those in our club and very skilled at getting the boat around corners. The coxes are young kids around 12 years with nerves of steel, that guide the 8 along the river and going around bends in the river not knowing what will come at the boats in their charge. Its not the other rowing boat that are the problem, you have the possibility of meeting a dragon boat in full flight on your side of the river. These are usually under the instruction of someone who wouldn't know what day it was let alone that there is a right and wrong side to the river, or you may meet a surf boat that comes from Portsea and may have lost its way. Worse still a river ferry, and they just don't care, however, these coxswains are just great maneuvering the 8 along, and at one point the young man put the 8 through a bridge at the back of Toorak and the blades only cleared by a matter of 18 inches each side (and here Neville' s worried about hitting Grafton bridge!).

Back at the club house its something else again. The boat storage is very much tighter than we have at Grafton. They seem to put as many boats, five 8's to start with in what seems half the space. They also wash their boats with soap and water after each outing - that explains why the boats we have purchased from Mercantile are in such good nick - then upstairs is the gym, change rooms and auditorium/bar/trophy room. This place is like the almanac of Australian rowing. Mercantile rowing club is the home club for James Tompkins, Mike McKay and Andrew Cooper of the "Oarsome Foursome" and by the photos on the walls just about every other oarsman in. the country. They have a very long and distinguished history of which they are very proud of and rightly so.

An invitation has been extended to the Vets to call in to Grafton should they be up our way to have a paddle on a real river. I am sure that we will make them feel as welcome as they made Neville.

Our rowing team has a drinking problem ..... nope, our drinking team has a rowing problem!

This sought after award has some real competition, not only in style but in execution and degree of difficulty, This month sees Marg Doughan going for a swim after hitting a clump of weed, she was traveling at high speed when the oar caught the weed and sent her in the water, the last laugh is Marg's, it was soooo hot, the dip was great she said.

We still have our learners turning up on Saturday's, it is great to see all the new faces coming along and enjoying the Art of Rowing. How about some of the young rowers lending a hand

Have a look at the photos of the past and present and if you have any you wish to add, please let me know, our scrapbook of newspaper items is growing all the time, Are You In There??'???

Always have land close to you, just in case you do go for a dip, while heading west, row past the Crown, then cross over to Susan Island for your homeward trip

WOW, have you checked the web site lately, it has been updated with lots of photo's and newsy bits, an absolute credit to our webmaster, so how about GRC web site making into the top 10 rowing sites again. If you've forgotten the address it's: http://graftonrowing.cjb.net

With all the crews out on the water and heading to Regattas around NSW there is a real need for some accomplished Coxswains and, I can assure you, it is just as important to have trust in a cox as it is in your crew.

"Its just as easy to lose weight after Xmas, as it is to put it on"????????? Sure Neville

Who was seen leaving his training session with the chamois swung nicely over his left shoulder? Maybe he needed it for a car wash?

Who gave up his valuable rowing with the "Rats", to take his lovely wife shopping at the Gold - the SACRIFICES we make eh?

Well, it seems nothing is sacred - Ken had to go for a 3am swim to rescue two school sculls after a couple of thugs seemed to think it was a good idea to both take the cold beer from the fridge after breaking through the locked door and then putting the boats out on the water ..... maybe if these people rowed, they would be too tired to try such stupid behavior - but, thankfully, our St George visitors had left, and Ken is OK, although he is not a happy chappy after being woken up so early

This newsletter is brought to you by Don “Double Spaced” Noble and Ann “I’ll Paint That” Collins. If you have anything to add to the next newsletter, please let Don (66426929) or Ann (66433347) know.

Favourite colour		Green
Favourite Movie		Bladerunner
Favourite food		Chips
Favourite actor/actress		Harvey Kietel
Likes		Sport, reading, food
Dislikes		Flood mud
Best holiday		Scuba Diving at Vanuatu
Hobbies		Scuba Diving