September 2025 Bow Ball Bulletin
Success at the Grand Ponderosa Cup
It was cold, wet and windy on the Goulburn River pondage in Eildon, but that didn’t stop Mel Watts, Simon Watts and Steve Gaspars from putting in some great performances, with Mel taking out a win and a cup in the Female Masters Single Scull. Congratulations to our three brave HRC scullers! Thank you to Steve for towing the trailer along all those scenic and difficult roads to Lake Eildon.
RESULTS
18th - Race 5 - Male Masters Single Scull - Time Trial - S.Gaspars
11th - Race 5 - Male Masters Single Scull - Time Trial - S.Watts
🥇 - Race 6 - Female Masters Single Scull - Time Trial - M.Watts
Saltwater Challenge Heralds a New Season
The squad that attended the 2025 Saltwater Challenge brought home a first and a second place and enjoyed a fun day out together. Tessa Plant, the cox, and the rowers consisting of John Raschke, Richard Blackwell, Simon Watts and Albert Smart, executed a race strategy to perfection and the result was a gold medal! Thank you to Max Currie for towing the trailer - a big commitment as he was unable to row himself.
RESULTS
🥇 - Race 18 - Male C Grade Coxed Quad Scull - A.Smart, S.Watts, R.Blackwell, J.Raschke. Cox: T.Plant
🥈 - Race 19 - Female C Grade Coxed Quad Scull - V.Hamilton, P.Page, M.Watts, C.Ashley. Cox: G.Besley
RV Beach Sprints Regatta Report
It was a grey and blustery morning on Williamstown Beach. The wind was offshore and so there were no waves on the beach but there were white horses and the swell was building at the offshore markers for the Rowing Victoria Beach Sprints at Williamstown Beach.
The event involves a short sprint (run) from the start line on the beach to the waiting coastal boat in the shallows. Then a 250m slalom rowing course out to the offshore buoys and a 250m row back to shore, followed by a further short sprint up the beach to the finishing line.
Coastal Rowing/Beach Sprints are to be included at the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, and the sport is growing in popularity in Europe.
The event was huge amount of fun and was to include an initial time trial to be followed by a series of knock-out races. Unfortunately, the later races were cancelled due to the worsening weather.
The event was well supported by Hawthorn Rowing Club with Emile Stigter, Max Currie, Chris Brown, Melissa Watts, Simon Watts and Charlie Watts (the juniors’ coach) all in attendance.
We will definitely be back to give it another go and we would encourage other HRC members to participate.
Mel, Simon and Max
Rowing a Course for a Cause: RDFS Rowathon
At daybreak on Saturday September 13, two Hawthorn quads pushed off in the mist from a sandy bushland riverbank for the first leg of the 2025 Murray Rowathon.
Hosted by the Wentworth District Rowing Club since 1992, the Rowathon is an annual event held on the Murray and Darling Rivers, raising funds for the Royal Flying Doctor service. It’s Australia’s longest one-day rowing marathon with this year’s course covering some 75 km in three legs down the Murray and briefly up the Darling.
Hawthorn Rowing Club has a long association with the event, which was initiated by Wentworth member and former HRC rower, Ian Law. A versatile sportsman, Ian was also a premiership rover for Hawthorn FC and a Sheffield Shield cricket for Victoria. The Ian Law trophy is awarded to the fastest crew that completes the Rowathon without crew changes.
Thirteen HRC representatives competed in this year’s Rowathon: Mark Campbell, Chloe Cheng, John Fogarty, Richard James, John Lake, Jenny Lefebvre, Mike Lefebvre, James Lyon, Kate Maddock, Albert Smart, Meredith Walters, Melissa Watts and Simon Watts.
Dominique Horne was the prime mover behind the club’s entry and co-ordinated the squad’s Saturday training rows. Unfortunately a knee injury forced Dom to withdraw a month before the Rowathon and Jenny stepped up to finalise our crews and to liaise with event officials.
After all the organising and training, the event was blessed with Spring sunshine, temperatures in the low twenties and very light winds. Some 25 crews competed, in singles, doubles, quads, an eight and even an octo scull. The first leg was 20 km downstream from a remote bushland property in Kings Billabong Park to Mildura, on a wide meandering stretch of the mighty Murray River, rowing past redgum forests, farmland and innumerable houseboats moored like floating villages.
At the palatial Mildura Rowing Club we refueled on fresh scones with home-made jam and cream provided by a local school parents group – it was a cheery country community vibe. Then all boats crowded into nearby Lock 11, the upstream gates were closed and we had the rare experience of being lowered some 4 metres to the next river level. On the opening of the downstream gates, crews started the second leg - a challenging row of 30 kms down a less populated stretch of the Murray to Coomealla Golf Club. There the local Rotary Club provided lunch and crews had a brief recovery before setting off on the third and final leg. This was about 24 km – but felt much longer – as the river wound around farmland, overlooked by substantial properties and was shared with wave-creating speedboats. For an interesting finale, crews rowed through a narrow shortcut across a bush covered spit to the Darling River, then it was a mercifully short upstream stretch to the finish line at the Wentworth DRC.
Our versatile HRC squad of 13 was rotated for each stage in two quads with most members rowing and/or coxing two legs. Chloe and Albert were the mileage munchers rowing all three legs at a very respectable rate, with Albert acquiring some spectacular souvenir blisters. Kate and James both rowed two legs as well as coxing a third. The long day ended with a ‘survivors’ dinner’ held in the Wentworth sheds, a magnificent paella feast cooked in three gigantic woks with re-hydration provided by cold beers and excellent wines. While the primary achievement was to complete the Rowathon, trophies were awarded for the fastest crew and those with unchanged rowers throughout the course.
The Rowathon raised over $40,000 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, supporting its work in providing emergency services to the Outback, women’s health care and mental health programs in remote communities. HRC and our supporters contributed (at last count) well in excess of $5000 - thank you everyone for your generosity.
Notwithstanding blisters, burning thighs and sore bums (to use a technical term), it was a fun event in a good cause and the consensus was that we should go again in 2026.
Thanks must go to Dom and Jenny for their outstanding planning and organization; to Richard for bussing us in the dark to the isolated starting line; to Korowa RC for transporting our boats to Wentworth and back; and to Wentworth DRC for their help, hospitality and hosting of such a unique and enjoyable event.
A punishing postscript: On Tuesday evening following the Rowathon, we rowed the two quads back from where they had been returned at Powerhouse, in torrential rain with waves as big as any experienced on the Murray. A very un-fitting finale for a fine and fun weekend.
Mike Lefebvre and James Lyon
Inside the World Rowing Masters Regatta
Congratulations to all our World Rowing Masters Regatta crews! We are lucky to have several insider scoops in this month’s Bow Ball. The first is from experienced regatta rowers, Ruth Oliver and Julie Cotchin, and the second if from one of our newer racing members, Henry Briffa. We hope you enjoy these different viewpoints and please feel free to reach out to Ruth, Julie or Henry if you would like any additional information.
Insights from the Masters - Ruth and Julie Reflect:
A group of keen rowers ventured to Banyoles in Spain this year for the World Masters Rowing Regatta. This is the third time many of us have been to a world event, so we are getting to know the ropes.
The World Rowing Masters Regatta is the largest regatta by the World Rowing Federation. At the annual event, up to 4000 participants from all over the world from the age of 27 row for their clubs over a distance of 1000 meters.Every three minutes, up to eight boats start at the same time to determine the winning teams in 13 different age groups, each with up to seven boat classes and divided by gender. The minimum age in the oldest group of participants is 89 years.
This year we were at Lake Banyoles a beautiful clear lake surrounded by hills in the capital of Catalan. The venue was perfect with plenty to do in the surrounding area when not rowing.
Everybody had rows to be proud of. JB and Mark won a gold medal in their G male double which is a fantastic achievement! The female quads, fours, mixed quads and doubles all smashed their personal best times, and in some races we teamed up with Nagambie which was a lot of fun. Also our long-standing, loveable member Alan Purton won the Octogenarian medal!
One of the highlights of these regattas is spending the week with rowers from all over the world, of all abilities from ex-olympians and national crews to club rowers like us. It really is inspiring to race with such talent. And it’s pretty cool sitting on the start line as each country is announced.
Next year the world masters regatta will be held on the iconic Lake Bled in Slovenia, and we hope that many of you will join us on this trip. So, don’t be shy, all are welcome. Set aside the month of September, start planning, and if you have any questions don’t hesitate to be in touch.
Ruth Oliver and Julie Cotchin
Banyoles Through Fresh Eyes - Henry Reflects:
The entry requirements for the World Masters Rowing are highly inclusive as the regatta brings together ex-Olympians and other champion rowers who can end up in the same race as novices. There is no qualifying event people must pass through in order to qualify, and unlike some clubs the crew from Hawthorn were self-selected.
Until earlier this year I had not rowed in a regatta and had viewed myself as more of a social rower. I started off thinking I might row with my partner in a mixed double but soon learnt that this was referred to this as ‘the divorce double’ and I was advised by the club coach that as a novice I should row in a quad.
It was rather generous of the other men to include me as they all had significantly more racing experience. Although I would have liked time on the water as a crew there were few opportunities to train together so I found myself training in a single and after some injuries and physio I decided to go back to basics and improve on basic techniques. I found that joining Pauly Ting’s Progress squad, helped me to do this. We had a training weekend at Nagambie with Sue Andrews but unfortunately this second intensive had to be cancelled.
I recall Alan Purton telling me before my first race that what he really hoped was that we would enjoy it. In the end, I was really happy that I didn’t let the team down and I performed above what others expected of me. In the words of Mark Oliver: Going through our results, every single one of us had at least one race in which we can truly be proud of.
The journey has been an interesting one. My rowing has improved greatly. I’ve also seen that rowing is so much more than the physics of levering water, that it requires sensitivity, a sports psychology that makes sure every team member feels valued, supported, encouraged and included in order to build an effective and successful team.
Henry Briffa
RESULTS
6th - Event: 103 Race: 1012 Mens H 2x Final - Alan Purton, Mark Oliver
7th - Event: 107 Race: 1050 Mens F 1x Final - Mark Oliver
7th - Event: 112 Race: 1082 Womens E 8+ Final - W. Cotter [NRC], Susan Lilly, Fiona Richardson, Linda Judge, Julie Cotchin, Robyn Blake, Jennifer Wheelahan, Louise Olayos, Ruth Oliver
4th - Event: 211 Race: 2058 Womens G 4x Final - Ruth Oliver, Jennifer Wheelahan, Robyn Blake, Louise Olayos
3rd - Event: 223 Race: 2128 Womens F 4+ Final - Julie Cotchin, W. Cotter [NRC], Robyn Blake, Ruth Oliver, William Olayos
7th - Event: 304 Race: 3019 Womens F 4x Final - Fiona Richardson, Susan Lilly, W. Cotter [NRC], Julie Cotchin
7th - Event: 314 Race: 3067 Womens G 2x Final - Louise Olayos, Robyn Blake
🥉 - Event: 317 Race: 3076 Mens F 4x Final - A. Horsburgh [NRC], L. Mcintyre [NRC], John Stewart, Mark Oliver
🥇 - Event: 324 Race: 3123 Mens G 2x Final - John Stewart, Mark Oliver
7th - Event: 331 Race: 3152 Womens G-M 4+ Final - Jennifer Wheelahan, W. Cotter [NRC], Robyn Blake, Louise Olayos, Ruth Oliver
5th - Event: 404 Race: 4016 Mens J 1x Final - Alan Purton
5th - Event: 405 Race: 4020 Womens F 2x Final - Fiona Richardson, Ruth Oliver
4th - Event: 405 Race: 4024 Womens F 2x Final - Jennifer Wheelahan, W. Cotter [NRC]
6th - Event: 405 Race: 4026 Womens F 2x Final - Julie Cotchin, Robyn Blake
8th - Event: 410 Race: 4050 Mens H 4x Final - Henry Briffa, Alan Purton, John Stewart, Mark Oliver
6th - Event: 423 Race: 4131 Womens F 8+ Final - W. Cotter [NRC], Susan Lilly, Fiona Richardson, Linda Judge, Ruth, Oliver, Robyn Blake, Jennifer Wheelahan, Louise Olayos, William Olayos
4th - Event: 424 Race: 4134 Mens I 2x Final - Alan Purton, John Stewart
4th - Event: 502 Race: 5011 Mixed G 4x Final - Linda Judge, Susan Lilly, John Stewart, Mark Oliver
🥉- Event: 502 Race: 5013 Mixed G 4x Final - W. Cotter [NRC], Louise Olayos, L. Mcintyre [NRC], A. Horsburgh [NRC]
6th - Event: 502 Race: 5014 Mixed G 4x Final - Henry Briffa, Alan Purton, Jennifer Wheelahan, Julie Cotchin
4th - Event: 507 Race: 5034 Mixed F 2x Final - Ruth Oliver, Mark Oliver
7th - Event: 514 Race: 5053 Mixed H-M 2x Final - John Stewart, Louise Olayos
4th - Event: 524 Race: 5103 Mixed F 4x Final - Ruth Oliver, Julie Cotchin, John Stewart, Mark Oliver
Regattas
Entries are also open for the 👉 Australian Indoor Rowing Championships 2025 (25 Oct – 2 Nov)
Event highlights: (a nine day window this time!)
· Official medal events: 500m, 1k, 2k, 1-min, and 4×500m relay
· Unlimited attempts across the 9-day window
· Entries include training resources in the Row Nation app
· New Adjusted Work Points (AWP) universal leaderboard for fair comparisons.
Head of the Yarra - A Call for Volunteers
Volunteers are the backbone of this event which also constitutes as an important fundraiser for the Hawthorn Rowing Club. If you haven’t already signed up then please do so as we desperately need MORE volunteers! It is a fun experience to join the Orange tsunami of volunteers and help our club run the best head race this side of the equator!
You can sign up to volunteer here.
Housekeeping Items
HRC Constitution
Please note that the the revised HRC constitution that was presented at the 2025 AGM is now available on the club’s website under ‘Membership Policies’.
Working Bees - Save the dates
In preparation for HOTY the club will be running TWO separate working bees after RD:
Sunday 19 October 2025 (external areas around the club)
Sunday 9 November 2025 (internal area of the clubhouse and sheds including the cage)
Rowing Kit
A final reminder to members interested in purchasing Canterbury Club Gear. A minimum order will be lodged in the near future. The club will then invoice each person who has confirmed and the item will be available for pickup at HRC. There is some great winter gear available such as hoodies, spray jackets and puffers. Please email Tristan if you have any questions.
Pontoon Sports is supplying HOTY merchandise this year. Refer to the website for details https://pontoonsports.com/collections/head-of-the-yarra-2025?srsltid=AfmBOop9_GJDvbOCnISWvJSoD8A80j5UT9TC5gvC17-U60XfzqZL20Sg
Reporting Boat Damage
A reminder to all members that if you happen to damage a boat, please report it ASAP to captain@hawthornrowingclub.com. This not only allows to the boat to be fixed quicker, but also allows us to be aware of where it is dangerous on the river. If you don’t report the damage, you may bare the entire cost of the repair!
This call has happened after the Brian Bourke was damaged on a stump (still don’t know where or when it occurred!). If you have any details of the potential accident, please let me know so we can identify the hazard before more boats get potentially damaged.
Tristan
Monthly Roundup
We’ve had an incredibly busy month so we’ll keep the monthly roundup brief. Guy has officially launched the Head of the Yarra Series of Podcasts and episode 1 is out now.
For those involved in the formal rowing programs at the club, Captain Tristan Krstevski has released plans for how the HRC program will run moving forward, and there will be a meeting where this will be discussed in further detail at the club on Sunday 5th October at 11:00am (after Rowing Development). You can register 👉 here
Tristan has also shared the first of the training plans in the HRC Rowing Program WhatsApp group. If you are new to the club and want to be part of this group, please let Tristan know. If you are not already familiar with the erg (erg is short for ergometer, which is the technical term for a rowing machine) now is a good time to get started. For those on WhatsApp you may recall Julie Cotchin shared a photo from Spain showing what a real erg line up looks like!
One of our newest members is also one of our most experienced rowers! Bruce Winnen has joined the club and is ready to race as you can see by his new regatta kit. Welcome to HRC Bruce! If you too would like to race this season please make sure you secure your HRC uniform as soon as possible.
