GPS (NSW) Rowing 2014

I'll make it simple, if you didn't read my comment precisely and just went all feral about GPS schools (you brought them into it not me.)

The point is:

You (and the last blogger) seem to miss the point that all the other competitors (in the 3rd VIII) are there to race their grade. By all means KW race but what about going in (to the 3rd VIII) as an invitational entry if the crew is, as stated by ELM, so fast? Maybe if they had waited four or five events they could have rowed in the SB 2nd VIII or SB 1st VIII that would have been more their standard (as times demonstrated).

As stated, I'm all for their rowing programme, you must have missed that point too.

With regards to rowing sheds for the girls schools, it has nothing to do with the GPS schools. Take that to the RMS and rich NIMBY waterfront owners. Look at the difficulty SU has getting its shed rebuilt. I don't think an additional rowing shed has been built in Sydney for yonks for fear of been washed out by powerboat marinas. In fact, several GPS schools bent over backwards to kick start girl's school rowing by giving them access to their sheds.

I would add that rowing on a rural dam or river should give you better water than you get in a month of sundays on the parra - or have things changed?

Nope. Maybe the boys in the bush should get a couple of Fantasea cats tearing past them left and right in concert with the Marjorie Jackson or Nicole Livingston and they'll appreciate how good they get it!

This issue of starting in the right grade could all be prevented, if we all start racing heats and A-X finals. That way crews of same capability start against each other, no more procession races.

In our discussion KWS would have been in the right final same as all others. There might be cases where one school has more than one crew racing a A final, but that is competition.

APS in VIC do it with great success.

In terms of maximising time: KWS rowed in three races per day with the same rowers, most other schools are doing a maximum of two, correct me if I am wrong.

Sorry EIJM, I'm afraid that'll never float (excuse the pun). People or club regatta organisers don't have the time to run heats, semis and then A,B,C finals for a start. That type of racing is only suited to Nationals or State where crews already know if they've up for a competitive time. With your suggestion, where would you stop in terms of boat class let alone allowing for age or gender? The simple fact is that it was a club regatta event which has many different classes to be raced in one day. As I stated, KWS could simply have waited four or five events (approx 20-25 minutes) and raced in the 2nd VIII or 1st VIII and they would have been in a more appropriate race class (refer to SRC Regatta schedule). It's irrelevant as to how many races one wants to race. Race as much as you like in the appropriate grade or distance. As the meerkat says, "simples."

It might be a stretch for pure school regattas, as there is the expectation that school sports should be done an dusted before 12PM.

For club regattas it would work if they get rid of all masters events, I don't know why they have been allowed on SIRC during prime season. They can race 1000m perfectly on the Nepean or on SIRC in April/May, but that is a different conversation.

Plenty of examples are around, ISRA does it (Nov 23, 2013) within a day. Although there are restrictions in doubles and singles of one entry per school/club. The previous format was open and it took 1.5 days to go through schedule.

Tell that to the cricketers! We've had this discussion before…. if anyone wants to finish their sport by 12PM then they can always go play basketball.

Then tell your next point to the Masters rowers! Good luck! They are the fastest growing component of rowing and as they're cashed up they bring in much needed membership and seat racing dollars to RNSW. I'd like to see you tell a Masters rower to their face to take their measly 1000m race and stick it where it belongs.. and I'm not talking about the men!!!

Just to be clear, the school 3rd VIII is mostly for the 32nd - 40th ranked rowers in the school system (often ex-coxswains or those who started in Year 11). Is it just me or does that not strike you as a bit unequitable when top rowers are entering that event? KW definitely have top class rowers so…..? The 3rd VIIIs didn't need to be presented with the photographic evidence of 'daylight' between them and KW.

Anyone want to gaze into the crystal ball and offer some predictions for Saturday? Any event.

Agree on the difficulty dealing with the masters wannabees.

I think by your standards, SBH 1st 8+ should really be competing in the 2nd or 3rd VIII races. Coz, the distance is usually 45sec plus to the first.

1st VIII Shore
2nd VIII Shore
3rd VIII I dunno
1st IV Shore
2nd IV Shore
1st Yr10 Kings OR Shore

Edgar, the poor old GPS 3rd VIII guys have a tough life. They are given next to zero respect in their boatsheds (the "gay" 8 at one school) and probably have never won a race. Don't deny one of these crews a moment of glory.
Comparison with SBHS is not valid. The guys in the 1st VIII would be idolised by the rest of the boatshed - they receive sporting colours and feel a sense of achievement no matter what happens at HOTR. They can also long forward to doing well at the CHS championships.

Yr 10 VIII - Kings
3rd VIII - Joeys
Penrith City Trophy - Joeys
Father Gatland Trophy - Scots
Allan Callaway Trophy - Shore
Yaralla Cup - Shore
LC Robson Trophy - Shore
Major Rennie Trophy
Podium - Iggies/Joeys/Shore - Joeys to win by a canvass

Agree with you Spieber except the Major Rennie. Shore's 1st VIII are a solid crew, well coached and will be difficult to stop. Maybe a canvass between 2nd and 3rd. Joeys most likely to come 2nd again. This year maybe beyond other crews though I reckon in the next few years there could be a different favourite.

As another post said, there aren't many upsets at HOTR. Could be wrong this year though last one was in 2005 when ironically Shore upset Joeys.

Let's hope for good conditions. Forecast looks ok.

MR

In the 1st VIII race there is no chance that Joeys will beat shore, they will struggle to beat Riverview. I predict shore to go under 550 and win by several boatlengths.

The 1st Year 10 VIII is looking like it will be the most entertaining race of the day, hotly contested between Shore, Kings, Newington and Riverview. With all of these crews having their turn at the top and races often finishing with these crews within seconds of each other. I predict a very close finish with all four boats to be within a length with Newington 1st followed by Riverview 2nd , Kings 3rd and Shore 4th.

Correction: Kings, Newington, Joeys and Sydney High attended the GPS sculling trial.

Not completely convinced about Joeys not beating Shore. If they can stay within 1-2 secs at the first 500 then they can row through. However, I think the plan needs to be beating Shore to the first 500 and putting them under pressure for a change, otherwise.. My tip is for Joeys to do the VIII double! Gulp! I agree the times of the top three crews will be well under 6 mins. May be slight tail wind from the north east which may favour lanes 6,5, & 4. Otherwise I agree with Spieber for the rest.

Race day - all the best for the hundreds of boys rowing! Everybody else take a bex and have a good lie down

Congratulations to all the winners. Some brief observations: Shore 1st 8 first 5, Shore 2nd 8 last 5 (1.28!!!!), and Joeys 4th 4 (significantly faster than their 1st 4 - not a good look). Bring on the Aust Championships and Scotch!
David Jennings now has 6 wins, rapidly closing in on Garry Uebergang's record 7.

Winning crews:
4th 4 Joeys, View, Scots
3rd 4 Scots, View, Shore
2nd 4 Shore, Joeys, Kings
1st 4 Shore, Kings, Grammar
2nd 8 Shore, Joeys, Scots and View for third
1st 8 Shore, Joeys, Scots