The official West End Club Quarterly Newsletter AUG 2015 The WERC-er

WE LIKE TO KEEP YOU IN THE KNOW OF GOINGS ON AT THE CLUB AND WITH OUR CLUB MEMBERS, NEAR AND FAR. ALTHOUGH WE TRY, OUR NEWSLETTER IS HARDLY WHAT YOU’D CALL “BREAKING NEWS”. PERHAPS MORE A REPORT OF THE LAST FEW MONTHS AND THINGS THAT ARE COMING UP. SO BACK IN JUNE STEPHEN JONES, STROKE SEAT OF THE ELITE NZ MENS 8+, HAD THIS TO REPORT FROM EUROPE. SINCE THEN OF COURSE HE’S GONE ON TO WIN A BRONZE MEDAL AT THE WORLD CUP 3 REGATTA. THE FIRST MEDAL IN EUROPE FOR NZ MEN’S 8 SINCE 1983. KIA KAHA STEPHEN!

Hello Everyone, thought I would write final. We had a good race and finished up a little something about the trip so 1st, ahead of Germany 2 (their U23 far to let everyone back home know Crew) to head through to the Final. how it’s going and how the Kiwi 8+ is Sunday was the big day for us, seeing tracking. many of our team mates pulling in We arrived in Italy on Friday 12 June, some medals is always inspiring and to some hot mid-20 degrees weather. all the guys were pumped for the race. From there it was on to Lake Varese The final had NZ, Poland, Germany, and our Palace Hotel – which actually Great Britain, USA, and Germany 2. used to be a palace of some sort. A serious show down of the world’s 8+ racing. We ended up in a sprint finish After a good week of settling into with USA for the bronze, and ended Italy and getting used to the heat it up losing it by just under a second. was time to race in World Cup 1. The Not the finish we wanted but a good heat saw us line up against Germany step towards World Champs in two (Olympic Champs) and USA as the months’ time. big names, also Italy and France. It was first two boats straight through to The last two weeks have been long the Final and the rest to the Rep. We grinding trainings in 30 degree came out very fast, leading through the heats. The black boat is going faster 1st 500m mark in a time of 1:19.34. and faster each day and everyone is As we have been told many times, to very excited to race in Lucerne next be competitive in Elite 8s racing, you weekend. There are only 10 entries for do have to pass the first 500m in sub the 8+ in Lucerne, hopefully the last 1:20. The fast start and the heat took two weeks of training will show and a bit of a toll on us though, and we we’ll be able to get our bow in front finished 3rd behind Germany and for a medal. USA. This left us to prepare for the SOME OF THE STATS AT WORLD CUP 3; You can follow the Kiwi 8 on First Medal for NZ Women’s 8 EVER, First Rep the following day. Facebook, and on Stephen Jones Medal in Europe for NZ Men’s 8 since 1983, The Rep on Saturday was a pretty Rowing, for updates on what we are up Winning the Nations Cup (Top Nation through the world cups), Winning in the Nations Cup in standard race with us being the too and how the training is going. 2 regattas out of 3, Top of the the World Cup III favourite to take a win through to the Medal table 2 years in a row,. Until next time, Stephen Jones

COMING EVENTS A GOLDEN NIGHT - The launch of the OPENING DAY TRIVIAL PURSUITS EVENING Kerry Ashby Rowing Endowment fund. Saturday, 26th September, 9:30am. Friday, 11th September, 7:30pm at West End. Friday, 25th September, 6:30pm. FW Gam- Trial 8s racing, new honours board un- Tables of 10 max. $20 per head (BYO food ble Hall, Mount Albert Grammar School. veiling by elite rowers and morning tea. and drink) All invited to attend. Great prizes. More info inside this newsletter. Registrations for trial 8s open soon. WERC To see a winning crew in AWARDS action is to witness a perfect CONGRATULATIONS LEWIS! harmony in which everything EVENING 2015 is right... That is the formula A great night was had at our Club MEN’S U23 QUAD WIN SILVER IN BULGARIA Awards Evening on 20th June 2015. for endurance and success: New Zealand had a tough race with Our award winners, photographed rowing with the heart and the Canadians taking the lead from left to right, were; the get-go, with the Australians Junior School Rower Male of the head as well as physical chasing hard in second. Poland and season: Richard Bluck - SPC strength. New Zealand crossed the half-way Junior School Rower Female of the - George Yeoman Pocock season: Naimh McHugh - Baradene mark nearly level in third and fourth. They would chase each other down Senior School Rower Male of the season: Fergus McSwiney -MAGS to the line, fighting for a spot on the Senior School Rower Female of the podium. season: Amy Hirst - MAGS In the final 500m, Canada increased The Hec Cooper Shield for services to their margin over Australia and WERC: Alan Karrabeck charged for the line. Australia caught The Ernie Day Cup for best 1st year a crab in the final strokes and was member: WEST Jennifer Steele unable to withstand a charging New The Coxswain’s Shield: Dylan Dodds Zealand who finished ahead in silver. The Bob Allum Trophy for the most Losing stamina, Poland finished wins in the season: Evangaline END further behind in fourth. Coman and Elizabeth Ellis - Baradene (8 wins each) West Ender Lewis Hollows (Left) – NZL – silver The WERC Coaches Cup: Josh Everitt TRIVIAL The Buikema Mitchell Cup “We executed the first thousand exactly as we wanted. In the third 500, the Canadians were just faster. for the most improved rower: It is my first international medal and that’s pretty cool.” James Bradshaw “Masters of the Universe” The John Barton Cup for overall best PURSUITS School Rower: Ben Watkinson The Goldsbury Dwyer Cup for the most successful crew: SPC U18 NIGHT Novice 4 LEW’S LOT The Owens Family Cup for Male Friday, 11th September, REPORT BY LEW BECK Rower of the Year: Mahe Drysdale (not present) 7:30pm at West End. The Drysdale Family Cup for Female Rower of the Year: Amy Robson The White Family Cup for Club Spirit: Tables of 10 max. Abigail Parry $20 per head Master Rower of the Year: (BYO food and drink for This group of older masters ladies and Unfortunately numbers have fluctuated (overseas at the moment) is also part of Gay Costain men row on Saturday and Sunday over the last season due to work, family this group. And our fun award your table) mornings from 7:30am until 9:30am. responsibilities and health. Where “Ginga of the Year”: Kendra Page We invite any older rower 40-60+ to They are very committed and turn up possible we boat an eight using the men join us. It has become a very social regularly, rain, hail or shine. to make up the numbers. Any bodies All invited to attend. group which has Saturday breakfast at It has been a few years since left over go out in a single or double. Lew Beck acts as coxswain and coach. the Kreme Cafe which give a discount we held an evening event Great prizes to be won. The following members are regulars. The group, mostly of people who have to all West End Rowers. to celebrate our rowers Richard Stephens, Heather Law, Nicky never rowed before, rowed at school achievements for the year, Poor (Henry Poor’s mother), Gen Contact Mike Tolhurst to or in their youth, have acquired good Singe, Agnes Bennington, and Barbara so it was great to hold this sweep and techniques. event again. We had great book your table Norcross. Three others have just come attendance with numbers They row mostly in eights, fours or from the 2nd “Learn to Row” session. well over 100 and a few quads depending on numbers available. Barbara Ivesen and Gay Costain also people travelling from Most of the ladies groups are looking row regularly in a double and have been joined by Lee Kinley and Colleen outta-town especially for the forward to the 2017 World Masters Games and are training regularly with a Tonei to make a quad. These four event. Next year we aim for ladies started rowing at University in Lew’s Lot all rugged up for a winter morning even bigger and better, so be land-based private trainer. They hope to row. have enough numbers to boat an eight the 50’s and joined West End when sure to make it next year if by that time. women were accepted. Lynette Skelton you didn’t this time. DOING THE WORK, TO MAKE WERC WORK. The club is ticking over well GENERAL NOTICES TIM RUSSELL WITNESSES HARRY WAALKENS Q.C AN UPDATE FROM ROWING TAKE REVENGE ON THE BAIN OF OUR BOW MEN MANAGER - GED CAMPBELL INTER-CLUB COMPETITION The 1st VIII session was held on Sunday 5th of July. School There’s nothing like a knock in the back of the head or a lost impeller to stir a Winter miles are similar to ergs. and club VIII’s paced each other across to Hobsonville Point. man to action. Both happened to WERC Master’s oarsman, Harry Waalkens Commitment to all sessions, The session encouraged shared knowledge across the QC on consecutive mornings in the early morning gloom during training rows. including the tough ones, is schools and club. The school coaches and Jed have decided Harry had been saying for years he wanted to take to two irritating obstacles on contagious. It tells your team we can be the most internally competitive club in the our Whau Creek with his chainsaw and now, there would be no mercy. It had country. The competition will facilitate boat speed at national you are willing to do the hard yards to help the crew become personal. events. This inter-club competition is held every six weeks go as fast as it can. The photos below tell their own story. On two, cold, windy Sundays in July, our approximately, eights crews only, the standard is high but is intrepid Brother spent a total of 10 hours, battling through mud, lacerating his Mount Albert Grammar School athletes had a open to any of our competition grade rowers. Speak to Ged legs and feet on branches and shells, sawing, hacking, dragging and stacking logs tough session recently. The pontoon was so steep and to be included. icy they had to stick their feet to it like a tongue to and generally waging war against a sometimes sloppy, careless nature. LIGHTS ON BOATS a fresh popsicle to walk their boat up. The athletes With morning trainings ramping up a reminder that you are The result is, no more, will a wayward shrub scrape the bottom of passing boats, got on with their session and laughed it off. The to have lights on your rowing and coach boats when going out no more will scullers become entangled in pine branches stretching across the challenging times are often the times that deliver on the water. If you do not have lights on your boat then you river or strike their heads against heavy branches. the most camaraderie. do not go on the water. FULL STOP! When it comes to lights West End RC salutes you, Harry Waalkens! Shane Page put it well. He said “we are over the on boats, more is better, head lamps, bow lights, light yourself shortest-day hump, so it is all downhill from here.” up like a Christmas tree if you have too! See you on the water. IMPORTANT BOAT MAINTENANCE NOTICE WE will be lifting the standards when SYSTEM FOR USING THE SCULLING BLADES it comes to boat handling, cleaning MAINTENANCE ALLOCATION We have used a three colour system. and maintenance over the next few Going forward can you please ask The colour closest to the blade defines months. Each of our schools have been your coaches and athletes to attempt the gearing (light, medium, heavy) and allocated equipment that they will take to fix anything which makes a boat the other colour defines the set (keep care of during the season and also the unrowable themselves. Eg. Missing the sets together on the racks). There is schools have appointed maintenance bolts, loose slides, etc. If an issue also a white piece of tape on all blades men - Grant Clarsen (Bara), Mike is deemed unfixable by an athlete with the gearing written on it. Lewins (MAGS), and Terry Bluck (St they should approach the coach. If Labels Peters) – who will be assisting me in an issue is deemed unfixable by the setting up systems and working bees to coach then the coach should txt or "LIGHT": 286/88: Red This is a man with a mind on revenge. get our plant running like clockwork. email a detailed message of the issue "MEDIUM": 288/88: Blue to the appropriate maintenance man These new systems need the (photos help). Continually improving "HEAVY": 290/88: Green manpower of all club members, and educating the various athlete and INVENTORY school, active, masters, competition coaching teams about this system will and recreational to make it work. By Clear Sistema containers with basic lead to more productive time at the Harmony, balance and rhythm. getting involved you will be reducing spare parts and keys to the lockable rowing club and faster crews. They’re the three things that unnecessary disturbances to your cupboards have be given to the various SWEEP BLADES coaching teams. stay with you your whole life. on water sessions but also gain an Without them civilization is understanding of the equipment you We have used a three colour system. use on a regular basis. As Will Maling The colour closest to the blade defines out of whack. And that’s why We will need to continually improve and put it the other day "Everyone is doing the gearing (light, medium, heavy) and an oarsman, when he goes out reiterate the messages above through the the work to make WERC work". the other colour defines the set (keep in life, he can fight it, he can coming weeks and months to continue MAINTENANCE ALLOCATION the sets together on the racks). There is handle life. That’s what he gets also a white piece of tape on all blades to build positive momentum. If you have The maintenance allocation list which is from rowing. with the gearing written on it. any suggestions to further improve these - George Yeoman Pocock at the end of this newsletter is now on systems please speak with myself, Ged or the wall by the shed door in the middle Labels: our Club Captain, David. bay (on the right as you walk in). "LIGHT": 370/114: Red Harry “Safety First” Waalkens obviously values his hearing more than his feet. "MEDIUM": 372/114: Blue "HEAVY": 374/114: Green CLUB ROWING At this stage of various weekly tests. These are a great REPORT BY JAMES BRADSHAW the season we are way for the coaching team to access our JUNIORS RACE IN RIO still focusing on progress throughout the season. Recently THANKS TO ROWING NEW ZEALAND Our winter training is into full swing, our technique, so we have incorporated some weight WEBSITE FOR THIS STORY ON THE Thanks to Ben Watkinson’s with seven weekly sessions to keep our we are often in sessions to improve our power and FINAL RESULTS FROM WORLD JUNIOR Facebook account for these fitness and strength up during the cold different crews and strength, which will hopefully see some ROWING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2015 great images of West Enders in months of the year. Under the guidance boats for each row. good gains amongst the squad through Rio. Ben Watkinson racing. of our new Head Coach Ged Campbell, This gives us an opportunity to try out the remainder of Winter and Spring. there is a fantastic new culture among many different combinations, and helps World Junior Rowing Championships To ensure we remain well rounded the squad, which is producing some our coaches to access our individual - Finals Day - Saturday 8 August individuals, we have also organised a solid turnouts to training. With around strengths and how to best form our few social events so we can spend some As it has been all week the sun was 12 guys and 12 girls in the squad, there crews later in the season. Several of these time together while we are not tired and shining for the final day of the World is definitely going to be some good boats were tested back in June when we grumpy from getting up so early. We Junior Rowing Championships on the competition to get a seat in the boat this went down to Karapiro for the 10km had many laughs at a comedy night and 2016 Olympic rowing course in Rio. season. long distance “regatta”. For many of brought out our competitive sides with And the sun glistened on a bronze us, this was the first time we had raced We are currently doing four on-water a full on game of laser tag. With a few medal for New Zealand won by the over anything more than 2km, so were sessions each week, with a specific and more outings in the plan, we are creating Junior Women’s Coxless Four of Ella perhaps a little apprehensive. Although targeted skills approach to every row, quite a squad culture which should Greenslade, Lucy Hutchinson, Finau the conditions and weather were great, The first kiwi crew to race the A Braeden Camp put it all on the line we are seeing some good technical see us continue to work well together Mosa’ati-Fosita and Anahera Nin. the level of competition and time trial Final today was the Junior Women’s finishing 4th best in the world in a development. There has been a big throughout the season. In an exciting race the girls battled it format wasn’t quite the competitive test of Ruby Willis and Olivia time of 6:10.70 behind winners Great emphasis on pacing off other crews and out with China to finish in 3rd place we were hoping for. With less than one month left of Mendonca. They continued a strong Britain in a time of 6:05.36. rowing in ‘pods’ so we can gauge our in a time of 7.20.46 which was 0.12 Winter training, we are looking forward week of racing finishing 6th in a tight RESULTS WRAP UP speed, and push each other to produce The off-water training consists of squad seconds ahead of China. Ella said after to the days getting longer (so we don’t field in a time of 7:47.27 which was Bronze Medal - Junior Women’s 4- greater boat movement through the runs, erg sessions and weight training. the race “we really just gave it all we have to row so much in the dark!) and only 6.5 seconds behind the gold water. We are becoming very familiar with had for that first 1500, and then when 4th place - Junior Men’s 4x- temperatures warming up. September medal crew of Russia. running every inch of Mt Albert, and it came down to the last 500 China There have been a few chilly mornings 5th marks the start of our Summer 6th place - Junior Men’s 4+ have some great football matches for really put the pressure on us but we The Junior Men’s Coxed Four of which have required de-frosting of the Training, which will mean a step up in 6th place - Junior Women’s 2- cross training. The erg sessions vary from just really dug deep and really went for Fergus McSwiney (WEST ENDER), boat ramp to get our boats down safely training and we can start counting down week to week and incorporate testing it, shut our eyes and grit out teeth and George Howat, Sam Martel, Jonathan 8th place - Junior Men’s 2x to the pontoon, but on the plus side, to our first regatta of the season, which our maximum power output, anaerobic it ended up alright”. Winter (WEST ENDER) Coxed by those frosty mornings often produce nice will hopefully see some great results. 8th place - Junior Women’s 4x- threshold and aerobic capacity through Timothy Zouch raced their hardest flat water for us to rip through. The first New Zealand crew to race 9th place - Junior Men’s 1x to finish 6th best in the world in a today was (WEST ENDER) Ben time of 6.52.03 behind the winners Watkinson-Boyle in the B Final of Good look boys! Germany in a time of 6.41.51. the Junior Men’s Single Scull. Ben was placed 3rd in a time of 7:18.17 which In the final race for the kiwi crews gives him an overall Junior World the Junior Men’s Quad of Ben Kirsop, A Golden Night of Rowing ranking of 9th. This was a great effort Lenny Jenkins, Matthew Mesman and as the junior men’s single had the The launch of the Kerry Ashby Rowing Endowment Fund largest number of entries (25) at the Thanks to Ben Watkinson’s Facebook account for these great images of West Enders in Rio. Hear from Olympic Gold medallists Mahe Drysdale, Shane O’Brien and other New Zealand championships. Second from left Jonathan Winter. Second rowers, fresh from the 2015 World Championships in France. Next up in the B Final was the Junior from right Fergus McSwiney. Interview-style format conducted by media personality and MAGS alumnus Mark Watson Men’s Double Scull of Jack Lopas and Live and online auctions of rowing memorabilia and other great prizes Hayden Robertson. This crew had an A cocktail evening where beverages and canapes will be served throughout, don’t miss this incredibly close finish as they battled chance to hear from some of New Zealand’s top rowers, catch up with friends and help it out beside Estonia and just missed fundraise for a worthy cause. out by .66 of a second to be placed 2nd Proceeds will benefit the Kerry Ashby Rowing Endowment Fund to assist Mount Albert in a time of 6.38.68. This results ranks Grammar students who have the ability, but not the funds to take up rowing. the boys 8th in the world. The fund, administered by the Mount Albert Grammar School Foundation, will assure the successful future of rowing at the school and oer participation to the widest range of MAGS students The last B Final for the New Zealand The fund will be established in the name of the late Mr Kerry Ashby - a MAGS rower, coach and patron. Team was the Junior Women’s Quad of Ella Toa, Ella Simanu, Claudia Friday, 25 September, 6.30pm MacDonald and Michaela Townshend FW Gamble Hall, Mount Albert Grammar School who improved on their race yesterday finishing 2nd place in a time of Tickets $75, purchase from www.eventfinder.co.nz/go/goldennight 6:53.97 behind Romania. This again ranks the crew 8th in the world at the For further information or to buy tickets directly, contact Tim Kay of the MAGS Foundation: [email protected] or phone 09 815 4034 junior level.

Can you assist the endowment fund? Leading up to the launch of the rowing endowment fund, there will be an online auction. If you or your business have a product or service you would like to donate to the cause, please contact Mr Tim Kay, Director of Advancement at the school. Email: [email protected] or phone 09 815 4034. WERC AROUND THE WORLD JOSEPH NIHOTTE REFLECTS ON HIS TIME SPENT ROWING IN IRELAND BACK IN 2013

In January 2013 I was fortunate enough quantity – sometimes with almost half to go on an exchange through the the row done at half-slide to achieve the University of and study at the “connection with the back and shoulders”. University College, Dublin (UCD). This To be fair our 8+ moved well and was an West End members over in the UK catch up at Eton College race course meant that I could not race for West End enjoyment to train and race in. Another in that season, but enjoyed training and first experience for me was rowing in the racing with the UCD Boat Club during snow, which gave new meaning for the my six month stay. use of gloves (gloves for warmth – not for blisters) and a beanie, and I soon acquired Leaving New Zealand I told my friends myself a pair of gum-boots or “wellies” as and family that I would probably not row, they are known over there. but be taking this opportunity to travel Europe on weekends, meeting people All joking aside, this was an excellent and enjoying a miniature O.E. – all this experience, and with the UCD Boat Club while I packed my bags full of rowsuits I was able to race in a historic battle of and polyprops (I’m not sure I have any the colleges between the two Universities other clothing actually). Well I did end up in Dublin (UCD and Trinity College) meeting people – it was only my fourth for the Gannon Cup, have my first river day in Ireland when I made contact “head” racing experience, and compete at with some fellow rowers and signed up. the in the Temple The traveling took a bit of a hit due to Challenge Cup for University 8’s. The Joseph in 6 seat of UCD eight weekend trainings; however I have made friendships formed were also invaluable, Rowing overseas gives you a different perspective, of some amazing friends whom I still keep as most people here would relate to – view and also of how strong NZ rowing actually is. in touch with (thank you facebook). some of the closest bonds are formed between crew members, and being Irish Training in Ireland was very much there were countless nights out to develop different to what I had experienced at these. West End where the moto “Kia Kaha” rings true. Of course they still pushed To close I would encourage anyone hard, but I couldn’t help but feel that who has the chance to try rowing they were slightly afraid of hard work. overseas, there are often quite different There was a huge technique focus and philosophies which can develop you as a much more emphasis on quality over person and as a rower.

TIL NEXT TIME THANKS TO OUR PRINTER

Thanks again for all the contributors luck to all West Enders racing over the to this newsletter, it’s a real team winter. effort. Contributors this time were: If you have suggestions, any news to Stephen Jones, Lew Beck, Joseph share, or good stories of rowing abroad, Nihotte, James Bradshaw, Tim Russell, please email Kim Littlejohn, Suzanne Goldsbury [email protected] and Ged Campbell, the next WERC newsletter will be out toward the We hope you enjoy this newsletter, til AND THANKS TO OUR DESIGNER beginning of the summer racing next time! WWW.THEDESIGNBACH.CO.NZ season. So in the meantime, good Kim & Suz for the production of this newsletter

Administration and Communications team email - West End Rowing Club the home of [email protected] Like us on Facebook - search WestEndRowingClub And check out our website WWW.WERC.CO.NZ BARADENE MT ALBERT ST PETERS