Nepean Rowing Club Camp and Taree Summer Regatta 2020

Nepean Rowing Club Camp 2nd-9th January

Aimee completing her 110 pushups

Another camp was once again upon us. Only one day was missed due to poor air quality but outside of this, the camp went ahead as planned. It saw many rowers make some good improvements and set themselves up well for the peak of the season. 

We had thirty seven individuals partake in some part of the camp. This was a very busy time for everyone involved. I would like to say a big thank you to the coaches, Jason and Victoria and also to all the parents who prepared food for the rowers. 

Highlights
Aimee's Pushups: As many of you would be aware late last year I had to do one hundred pushups due to losing a bet. Aimee, shortly after this made a bet and subsequently lost, leading to her having to do one hundred and ten pushups. It was good watching someone else do the pushups and not be the one doing them, and I know she enjoyed the experience.

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Macayla and Cleo went for a swim mid row in the pair. Sarah, in the background, fell in while trying to come in after her row

Falling out: We had a few learn to row participants partake in this year's camp. This saw a lot of falling out, including going for a swim in a quad. We also had a few of our more experienced rowers who also went for a swim, and fortunately I was able to capture this moment. 
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Mixed Doubles Race: After much hype, the highly anticipated mixed doubles race took place on the final day of camp. Originally it was a race organised after some rowers were talking at the Christmas party last year. This was changed during camp with crews selected by drawing names out in random (though one crew saw a substitute take place which was totally not rigged). The race was approximately 150 metres in length (which was suggested by the social rower of the race) so it was very different to normal racing.
The race got underway, and saw 'Danny's Angels' take an early lead (to the surprise of the commentators) however as they approached the line one of the rowers lost their oar (I will not mention names, though the video can be found through the below link) and the rest of the field caught up. It was 'BFF4EVA' who took the win and there was a close battle for second and third, with the judges deciding on Tweedledee & Tweedle dumb taking second and 'Hugh let the dogs out, Hugh, Hugh, Hugh' taking third, though this decision was not well received by one of the crews.
This was alot of fun and created some good banter. Thanks for all those involved in the race, cheering crews on and for starting and finishing the race.
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https://www.facebook.com/nepeanrowingclub/videos/576559192893581/?t=4 

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Bowling and Laser Skirmish: This year we did a group activity and we saw some good and not so good bowling and laser skirmish skills. This was a fun session and something we will continue to do in the future. 

Taree Summer Regatta 10-12th January

We headed up to Taree with twenty one rowers to compete in the much anticipated Taree Summer regatta, which attracted six hundred rowers for the three days of racing. A big thank you to Manning River Rowing Club for hosting another great event.

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Friday 10th
We were greeted with some rough conditions on the first day of racing but this not deter rowers and all the racing went ahead as scheduled. 
A few highlights included; Gauri and Harry winning their first races in rowing in the WD2x and MC4x respectively, Monique won her first 2km race and also snapped her first oar. Everyone dealt with the difficult conditions well, we had some good results and a lot was learnt from the day of racing.

This year was the first year all the rowers did not stay together. However, we did continue the tradition of having dinner together at Wingham Hotel. It was a good night and we continued on the tradition of going to the shops afterwards and bought healthy snacks for that night. 

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Saturday 11th
The second day of racing was upon us and while conditions were better than the day before, it was a head wind, which smaller rowers are never happy with (and we have a lot of them).
A few highlights included a number of scratch crews performing well including:
- WC2x's: Tallara and Macayla; Jacqui and Sarah
- WD4x: Sarah, Edee, Cleo and Gauri
We were able to put together a women's D and C grade eight this year. The women's D eight raced well on Saturday and while having a tight battle with UTS during the majority of the race, they went away with the win. The crew was: Aimee, Jacqui, Monique, Edee, Macayla, Cleo, Sarah, Annelise and was coxed by Alex. 

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WD8+: Jacqui, Cleo, Aimee, Edee, Annelise, Monique, Sarah, Macayla and Alex

The mixed eight is always a highlight of the entire regatta, but it is also a big deal for our club. It is always an achievement to be part of the crew and something everyone who attends the regatta wants to be part of. This year we went with less experienced girls to lower our handicap. They did not disappoint, and performed well. It was a good race and we were happy with the result, placing fourth in a field of sixteen. Congratulations to everyone who was part of the crew, you should all be proud of the effort you put in. 

Mixed 8+ heading out for racing

Mixed Eight: Jason, Miles, Daniel, Hugh, Annelise, Edee, Monique, Aimee and Alex

Sunday 12th
The final day of racing was up and there was still plenty of racing ahead for everyone.
Highlights included:
- Jason racing in a composite masters four and quad and taking out both events
- The women's C eight taking out second place: Alex, Aimee, Jacqui, Annelise, Monique, Edee, Sarah, Macayla
- Harry winning his first single race in the C single
- The scratch crew of Jacqui, Monique, Annelise, Cleo and Alex taking out the C coxed four
- AImee and Monique along with Annelise and Sarah taking out their respective B double divisions

Final Thoughts
I apologies for not covering all racing but I would like to say it was a great effort by all rowers and I am confident everyone gained something from the weekend. 

I was again very happy to see the great team effort over the weekend. From helping rig/de-rig boats, helping rowers on and off the water, preparing food, cheering rowers on and so much more. A special mention to Mark (who I know will love that he gets a mention) for his efforts over the weekend and for everything else he did and continues to do to keep the rowing program running the way it does. 

Thanks to everyone who was involved in this year's camp and Taree, and I am confident it will set up everyone for a successful second half of the season. 

Partial team photo: Tallara, Daniel, Hugh, Jason, Mark, Jacqui. Edee. Cleo, Macayla, Sarah, Gauri, Alex, Jess, Monique, Miles, Annelise, Vanessa, Jonathan, Aimee