2017 Schools Rowing

[behindtheshed]

8 days untill the big dance, predictions?

Shore will get laid

 

[Joeyourboat]

Any videos up yet?

 

[bigmac]

Large field in the 3rd VIII for the Head of the River. Albeit, Grammar have a 3rd VIII entered without having first fielding any fours. Besides TAS, is that the first time a GPS school has been allowed to race out of seeding order? It is an interesting precedent being set.

Probably just a reflection of their capabilities.

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[Andrew B Cox]

Well, Behind the Sheds, Lindommer, Speiber et al, what are your picks? with Rowing Academy, SIRC Watch and Hard 10 barred at present, let us hear the fearless predictions. Does Shore have everyone's measure, or have a few crews been foxing? What do you all think?

 

[Lindommer]

Haven't followed the rowing this season, ABC. Sorta weaned myself off school sport once my young bloke left, the King's match last year was an aberration. Although I did make a sneaky visit to SIRC Penrith in March 2015.....

 

[Spieber]

Well, Behind the Sheds, Lindommer, Speiber et al, what are your picks? with Rowing Academy, SIRC Watch and Hard 10 barred at present, let us hear the fearless predictions. Does Shore have everyone's measure, or have a few crews been foxing? What do you all think?

ABC, Shore 1st & 2nd 8's, 1st 4 possibly Shore under guidance of my ex-coach, 2nd 4s probably most competitive on day (I fancy Scots), 3rd/4th 4s are a gimme for Carl Q's lads (hopefully in times slower than 1/2s ;-) ). Cheers

 

[coxedpair]

Any videos up yet?

 

[Joeyourboat]

Interesting to hear from the Scots coxswain that the season didn't play out the way he wanted it to even with the strong results. Maybe they wanted first every race, will be interesting to see if they can challenge shore this weekend. Good videos from both schools.

 

[behindtheshed]

I still think Shore will prevail. Groundhog Day. I'm not up close enough to know whether there's any foxing going on but reliable minds on this forum have pointed out that the school with most wins under the belt throughout the season tends to be the one which takes out the big prize. After watching the 3-way tussle at Gold Cup, I'm prepared to be proved wrong but if anyone has a little more in the tank at this stage, it will be the Stepford Wives from Shore. Scots, Kings, perhaps New/View will push them but take out the lower placings. Joeys haven't done anything to suggest they'd be a threat this season. Thus Spake BTS.

 

[Johnny come lately]

In the 1st 8, it seems that Shore have a very, very unusual seat change, particularly considering the timing... as an ardent SJC supporter this isn't easy but I put my coin on Scots in a major upset.

Otherwise it will be a boring Shore-wash.

 

[Rumb dower]

Forecast not flash for Saturday...light wind, plenty of rain. How come most Newington crews starting in L1

 

[Spieber]

In the 1st 8, it seems that Shore have a very, very unusual seat change, particularly considering the timing. as an ardent SJC supporter this isn't easy but I put my coin on Scots in a major upset.

Otherwise it will be a boring Shore-wash.

Nice pick up - indeed a different configuration to 3 weeks ago. Interestingly, the rower now in the 2nd VIII is the only senior Shore rower competing the next day. DJ loves his specialist bow men, so must have compelling case for change.

 

[freshvideos]

 

[behindtheshed]

That seems like an odd development and I think it is the first time I can recall a GPS school rowing out of seeding order besides TAS. I could perhaps understand it if their crew was likely to finish at the tail end of the 3rd VIII race, but not when they look like winning the race. I would be interested to know how the 3rd VIII rowers and coaches from the other schools feel about it. I would guess they would not be happy, but it is their rowing masters that must have voted on it and agreed to it? Behindtheshed, do you care to comment, the 3rd VIII is one of your passionate topics?

Well, not so much about the 3rd VIII but yes I am "passionate" (thanks for the generous euphemism) about crews being allowed to row down a division and usually the crews worst affected by that are the lower Fours and the 3rd VIII. It's the first time I've seen it allowed at HOTR and it's deeply unimpressive. If this is expected to continue, then let's introduce a seeding system based on the depth of program (number of rowers, number of boats) and enforce some transparency. Otherwise, entries must fill from the top downwards and that's that.

 

[behindtheshed]

In the 1st 8, it seems that Shore have a very, very unusual seat change, particularly considering the timing. as an ardent SJC supporter this isn't easy but I put my coin on Scots in a major upset.

Otherwise it will be a boring Shore-wash.

On the plus side, if Scots do pull out an upset, wouldn't that make two schools in quick succession who won after giving KT the flick?

 

[bigmac]

Well, not so much about the 3rd VIII but yes I am "passionate" (thanks for the generous euphemism) about crews being allowed to row down a division and usually the crews worst affected by that are the lower Fours and the 3rd VIII. It's the first time I've seen it allowed at HOTR and it's deeply unimpressive. If this is expected to continue, then let's introduce a seeding system based on the depth of program (number of rowers, number of boats) and enforce some transparency. Otherwise, entries must fill from the top downwards and that's that.

I take the point that stacking is not good. However it seems the school realises it is not competitive at a certian level ie fours and drops back to a level where they can at least compete rather than be thrashed in the fours. Seems sgs have a serious decline in rowing numbers recently. A real concern.

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[TheBoyinTheBoat]

Interesting to see that Newington has not credited any coaches all season, even at HOTR. Seems a bit rude to the coaches there seeing as they are putting in a significant amount of time and effort, also Newington are the only school not to include weights of the rowers in the program, seems a bit odd.

 

[behindtheshed]

Yes agree - but I have always admired SGS and SBHS for gutting it out in the 1sts despite lack of depth in the program. I have no opinion one way or another about TAS. They are rarely there. When Cranbrook, Augs and Kinross do it, however, it really grinds my gears. Those schools have excellent, well-organised programs with considerable depth, yet are allowed to race their top-ranked rowers against boys ranked 16th and beyond at other schools.

 

[behindtheshed]

Interesting to see that Newington has not credited any coaches all season, even at HOTR. Seems a bit rude to the coaches there seeing as they are putting in a significant amount of time and effort, also Newington are the only school not to include weights of the rowers in the program, seems a bit odd.

But if New wins, we'll all know it was due to fresh coaching talent. Good to hear from you KT.

 

[Spieber]

The change being referred to is the 6/stroke change

The change to the bow seat was due to the current bowseat being injured at the time of Kings/PLC and State champs, he however rowed at Gold Cup

Thanks sbrow - so all good at the Taj Mahal of rowing.