Grafton Rowing Club is hosting an exciting three day event on May 31 and June 1 and 2 this year, with our inaugural Rowfest, with a Meet and Greet on the Friday, Wooden Boat day on the Saturday and the annual Two Islands Row on the Sunday.
Jump to:
Friday Meet’n’Greet
Saturday Wooden Boat Day
Sunday Two Islands Row
Downloads
Friday, May 31
The weekend event will actually start on Friday, May 31, from 5:30 pm, with a meet’n’greet in the Meeting Room at the Crown Hotel, which will be familiar to many rowing visitors from years gone by. Registrations and payments for the Saturday events can be finalised during the evening.
Dinner is available from the menu at the Crown from 6:30 pm and Wendy Ford from Grafton Rowing Club will present the dinner speech, with an interesting tale of her own family’s historic involvement with wooden boats.
Saturday, June 1
Saturday, June 1, will see our Wooden Boat Bay, with :
- static displays of wooden shells from past to present – entry is by donation.
- friendly exhibition rows in wooden shells for the inaugural Clarence Classic Trophy starting at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday (boats provided or bring your own!) These exhibition rows will be over 500 metres, for men, women and mixed crews, and will be in 1x, 2x, 2-, 4x, 4+ and 8+. A seat fee of $10 applies to these races.
- workshops and presentations on the history, designing, building, maintaining and repairing of wooden shells, with presentations from past and present boat builders and oar makers. These workshops will start at 1:30 p.m.
- row in a replica Viking boat or try out a wooden ergometer during the afternoon.
- plenty of refreshments, food and drinks available on site from 7:00 am.
- dinner at Vines, from 6:00 p.m., with our guest speaker, former Australian representative and Olympic rower, David Cameron, where more rowing stories will undoubtedly be shared.
We already have over twenty wooden boats for our display but invite everyone to bring their own wooden shells to add to the day – the more the merrier.
Everyone is welcome – you don’t have to own a wooden boat; or be experienced in rowing wooden boats; or ever even seen a wooden boat – this is an opportunity for young and old to experience and enjoy these beautiful craft.
Sunday, June 2
Sunday, June 2, will continue the rowing activities with the annual Two Islands Row around Susan and Elizabeth Islands. Row around your choice of Susan Island (approx. 10 km) or both islands (approx. 20 km), in your own person-powered craft (we have had dragon boats, stand-up paddle boards, canoes, etc, and, of course, all forms of rowing boats from singles to eights) or use one of our boats – wooden boats are an option but not necessary.
You can download a flyer or Entry Forms are available for download below.
The Two Islands Row is also a fund-raiser for the Westpac Helicopter Rescue Service.
The weekend promises to be a great opportunity to view and experience wooden shells, reminisce about rowing wooden boats for those who did so back in the day, or learn about and even try out these beautiful boats for those who have not had the pleasure.
We hope to see you there.
Downloads
Download Two Islands Row Forms in one PDF
Or download individual Two Islands Row forms:
Letter
Map
Entry Form
Waiver
Entries Summary
Enquiries can be made by contacting the club or by emailing graftonrowing@gmail.com or download a flyer or a poster to share with your friends or for display in your club.
