Training at Noosa Sep 2021
Now that the weather is warming up crews are eager to hit the water early and make the most of brilliant sunny conditions. Over the past few months we have had a stream of people trying out coastal rowing. Local Noosa papers have also given us print space which is elevating our sport amongst interested locals. We still get several enquiries a month from people wishing to buy boats and wanting information on the best boats to buy. Locally we have had renewed interest in our rowers wanting to improve their rowing techniques, fitness and preparing themselves for racing.
Disappointment as Inaugural National Championships cancelled due to Covid Aug 2021
Officials, athletes, volunteers and the public have been disappointed that the Australian Coastal Rowing and Beach Sprints Championships (ACRBSC) for 2021 were cancelled due to concerns over Covid-19 and boarder closures. However planning will continue and the event will be staged in Noosa from 2022 to 2024. Great work has been accomplished by Rowing Australia and Rowing Queensland who are staging the event and it promised to be a full two day event with great support from athletes, Coaches and Boat Race Officials from around Australia. Locally in Noosa and the Sunshine Coast in general the event had generated enthusiastic support and offers of assistance and encouragement have been poring in. While the event is off this year the time will be spent i’m sure in refining and improving the program and administration, plus improving coastal rowing knowledge and equipment and beach racing techniques. We are on a roll, let’s all keep focused on August 2022.
2021 Australian Coastal Rowing and Beach Sprints Championships April 2021
Noosa Main Beach to host event on 21 and 22 August 2021; Sykes set to provide equipment for all competitors
Rowing Australia (RA) today announced that the inaugural Australian Coastal Rowing and Beach Sprints Championships (ACRBSC) will take place on Noosa Main Beach, Sunshine Coast, Queensland on 21 and 22 August 2021.
Co-hosted by RA and Rowing Queensland (RQ), this new National Championships will comprise two new exciting disciplines of the sport of rowing – the endurance category of coastal rowing and the beach sprints that are a head-to-head elimination style of racing that includes on-water slalom style racing with a beach sprint start and finish across the sand.
Additionally, RA is pleased to confirm that Geelong-based boat builder, and long-term supplier to RA, Sykes, has signed a three-year partnership with the event to provide participants with a fleet of new Coastal boats and oars for the ACRBSC. The event will include racing opportunities for multiple categories, continuing to highlight the inclusive nature of rowing, with opportunities across Open, Youth, Masters, Para and Mixed Gender big boats.
RA Board Director and Chair of RA’s Coastal Rowing Working Group, Sarah Cook, said “We are delighted today to be able to announce, alongside Rowing Queensland, that the 2021 Australian Coastal Rowing and Beach Sprint Championships will take place at Noosa Main Beach West in August this year.
“Rowing continues to develop and diversify as a sport and we know the people of Noosa will welcome the inaugural competition to its shores. Participants will simply have to pack their zooties and be ready to race, with Sykes providing boats and oars for all competitors. We’re excited to launch this new type of championships and are looking forward to working with Rowing Queensland to deliver a fantastic event on the Sunshine Coast.
“As an observer on the World Rowing Coastal Rowing Commission, I can attest that this aspect of our sport is continuing to expand globally with its confirmed inclusion in the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, and consideration being made for its inclusion in the event program for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. I’m looking forward to Australia building a base of highly competitive rowers thanks to these Championships.”
Additionally, Rowing Queensland have the opportunity to secure the event for a further two years (2022 and 2023) should they obtain further funding to host the Championships on the Sunshine Coast.
RQ Chair, Nick Parr added, “We are excited to have the opportunity of co-hosting the Inaugural Australian Coastal Rowing and Beach Sprint Championships. This area of our sport in Australia is in its infancy and RQ recognises its enormous potential.
“We have the climate, resources, and existing expertise through our Member Club Coastal Rowing & Touring Australia and the Noosa community to ensure that the event is successful. RQ will use the event to grow coastal rowing in Queensland.”
Managing Director of Sykes, Mark Nothnagel commented, “Sykes is a proud Australian based boat builder we are grateful for the opportunity to partner with Rowing Australia and Rowing Queensland for this event for the next three years.
“Whilst the inaugural event will use new boats sourced internationally from Sykes’ global partners, we are in the process of investing in and expanding our capability so that we can supply locally built boats for the second and third years.
“At Sykes we are passionate about contributing to growing the sport of rowing in Australia. Coastal and Beach Sprint racing events like these are competitive, exciting, and fun for athletes and spectators alike. Furthermore, Australia has an extensive coastline including so many bays and estuaries and these are just perfect for Coastal Rowing adventures. We really believe that the success of this event will be the catalyst for further growth throughout Australia, especially when summer returns.”
Be Crocwise in Croc Country November 2020
The sign on the palm tree warns the public … “Crocodile reported in this area in the last seven days” and to stay 5 metres from crocks! Our man on the ground in Townsville Graham Ward, said “There was a 2m croc on the beach when lunching my CR single last Friday. I wasn’t quick enough to get a photo.” This gives a whole new meaning to adventure sports. Take care, thanks for the photos.
Wintech CR Single November 2020
Recently Gus Ravero delivered the new Wintech Coastal Rowing Single Scull to Noosa so that members could test row the boat in Lagoona Bay and try it out in the surf near the Noosa bar. This is a great testing ground for the boat. Club members will put the new boat through its paces, a task which we are very keen to experience and to explore the boats handling qualities. “The boat certainly looks the part” Creagh said before tweeking the rigging and fitting cameras. “I’m looking forward to seeing what the latest boats can do. This will be my first row in a boat with the rigger behind the rower.”
Picture: Gus and Creagh background Rachel a Masters State and National fine boat Champion and CRATA Club Member.
Safety Training November 2020
Noosa Crews arrive at the beach were Safety Training was conducted. This is an annual requirement which includes 300m swim, roles and responsibilities for Boat Captains and Cox, Life Jacket fitment, maintenance and operation, EPIRB activation and operation, Radio operation and calls plus Capsize Drills for all three boat types. This was a fun and informative morning which crews eagerly look forward to. It is also a requirement for the level 1 Coastal Rowing Certificate (Protected Waters).
Sandy lecturing on Boat Captains responsibilities.
Annual Gathering October 2020
Morning Training September 2020
Covid-19 Crunch March 2020
What did you do when rowing shut down on the 20th March 2020. Sandy remembers rowing to Noosa Main Beach for coffee just before the crisis.
Bucket List Activity December 2019
Add this to your Christmas bucket list, Rowing on the North Shore in crystal blue water and riding waves, followed by a cooling swim Sandy, Ray, Graeme and Richard amongst others had to pinch themselves to check they still had a pulse, it was so good. Get on the growing wave of people taking up coastal rowing. Mentally, physically and psychologically this will be the best decision you have made.
New President Takes the Helm November 2019
Recently Coastal Rowing members from Queensland and Inter State gathered in Noosa for the AGM and dinner at the Noosa Yacht and Rowing Club. Kevin Hayes was appointed as the New President of Coastal Rowing and Touring Australia Inc. following Warwick Marler stepping down from the position. Warwick was congratulated for his 10 years at the helm. The AGM also voted to acknowledge the contribution that Warwick and Creagh Mecham (Treasurer) had made, by awarding them Honorary Life Membership. Their wives Bronwyn and Rachel were also Mentioned In Dispatches for their tireless contribution to Coastal Rowing. Two new members were elected to the Committee, Ray Weeks and Sandy Hellmrich.
The Clan Gathering also included rowing on the Noosa bar in pristine weather. Crews were given a lesson in surfing waves in a Quad. This was a blast and crews could not wipe the grins from their faces. To cool down crews plunged into the crystal clear waters of the Noosa River. Ruth Marr, from “Rowing the World”, visiting Noosa at the time, (joined members for dinner and two rows). Ruth said, she had never seen the boats surfed before and admitted it was great fun.
BBQ Fund Raiser November 2019
Coastal Rowing Members Karen and Kevin at a Fundraising BBQ held in Brisbane to raise funds for the Club. 50% of the taking were donated to the Norbert Kren Fund, which is assisting in the purchase of Coastal Boats gifted to American Samoa. The remainder went to our operating fund.
Sunrise on the Everglades July 2019
Stefan strokes on an early morning row to the everglades in the World Heritage, Great Sandy National Park. Peter stroked the Double which made a fast passage, just 50 minutes to Fig Tree Point our destination for coffee, The bird life on our arrival was amazing. People travel from around the world to do this trip. Just another amazing row crossed off the bucket list.
World Rowing Tour NZ April 2019
The FISA World Rowing Tour has been hailed a success with 42 rowers from 10 countries participating. The week long tour of the Marlborough and Nelson region was hosted by the Nelson Rowing Club. Several coastal rowing members from Australia (CRATA) took part in the Tour, along with Danish, Canadian, Austrian and Swiss among others. The first few days of rowing were in the Queen Charlotte Sound with rowing also taking place on Lake Rotoiti. The Tour included cultural events and magnificent New Zealand food and hospitality.
New Year Sunshine Coast January 2019
Visit from France November 2018
Isabelle Saint-Antoine from Metz in France has recently visited Noosa while coming to Australia for her daughter’s graduation from the Melbourne University. We had an amazing row in Laguna Bay off Noosa Beach on a picture-perfect day. I met Isabelle in Italy on the FISA World Rowing Tour in 2017.