The official West End Club Quarterly Newsletter MAY 2015 The WERC-er ROWERS ARE LIKE WOLVES A WORD FROM WERC’s NEW ROWING MANAGER - GED CAMPBELL

Thank you for inviting me to write a starting to grow some legs. The large piece for the WERCer. I am looking family deck, on which the prize giving forward to reading more of these took place, was crowded with family newsletters throughout the season. and friends of athletes. Kerry was invited to speak. There was respect and I enjoy a good rhyme and “The Law silence as he slowly unfolded a piece of the Jungle” (From The Jungle of paper… Towards the end of his Book) by Rudyard Kipling is one speech Kerry cleared his throat, and of my favourites. The poem is the broke into the West End song. His unwritten law of the wolves. Writing voice filled the atmosphere with a deep this reminded me of the poem because sense of camaraderie. It was a truly I liken rowers to wolves. They travel Ged, bow, rowing in NSRC colours during his magic moment that I will never forget. RPC days in packs; they make the hunt easier by working together; they might I think the reestablishment of the bite you if you touch their food; they MAGS programme epitomises what sometimes share dens; and they often it is to be a West Ender - to be strong smell. You might enjoy the rhyme if enough in character, to help others you take the time to read it. succeed, and to become the best you can be. I hope no one holds this against me… I am a Westlake Boys High It is exciting and daunting to be part School old-boy that rowed for North of a club with such a rich history. I Shore Rowing Club. It is a strange look forward to hearing more WERC predicament I find myself in, asking stories and creating some new ones the question, ‘what does it mean to be this season. See you on the water or a West Ender?” around the clubhouse. Ged on podium with his MAGS rower Grayson (now WERC club rower). I had a taste of WERC culture during my time as a coach at Mount Albert Ged 4 seat for West Lake Boys 8+ Grammar School (MAGS). From an experience I had at MAGS I think I can construct an answer to the question. We were at a prize giving one year and the MAGS programme, which Kerry Ashby had helped reestablish, was

CLUB PRIZE GIVING LEARN TO ROW COURSE COMING EVENTS June (date TBA). If you can help with 20th June 2015 for 6 weeks. Please share organisation of this event please contact with friends, family and colleagues. They Kim Littlejohn asap! can register at www.werc.co.nz SCHOOL ROWING JUNIOR TRIALS - MAG’S PERSPECTIVE WILL MALING OF MAGS HAD SENT OUT THIS REPORT POST JUNIOR TRIALS, SO WE SNAFFLED IT, with Wills permission, FOR THE WERC NEWSLETTER. Across all schools 2 gold, 3 silver For full results go to We are very excited to announce that Given that our mission is to develop rowers and a bronze were won www.rowit.co.nz for the first time MAGSROW has had who can succeed both at school level and A FINAL RESULTS rowers selected for the NZ Junior Team. beyond through a focus on learning, the Both Fergus McSwiney and Jonathan success of the boys is testament to the hard Winter have been named in the NZ Junior work that has been done by the boys, their BARADENE MAGS SPC Coxed Four to take part in the 2015 World peers, coaches, parents, and the school to Rowing Junior Championships being help us fulfil our purpose as an organisation. girls u18 novice coxed boys u18 oars boys u17 coxed eight held in Rio de Janiero, Brazil from 6 to It is particularly notable that the boys Left Fergus McSwiney and Jonathan Winter right eight F McSwiney, J Winter C Dallow, M Srhoj, C MacDonnell, 9 August. These boys were selected after began with MAGS Rowing in only our 3rd in WERC strip earlier in season J Dasent, J Watson, E Coman, E Ellis, A Final: placed 2nd (6:53.27) C Milne, M Bluck, R Baker, E Commarieu, a week-long trial that included 2km erg season since the programme was restarted B Waldin, R Obrien, A Langbrown, A Guy S Grgicevich + I Cairns testing and seat trials at . in 2009. Accompanying this good news, Carl Pracey, + SBarrack boys u15 coxed eight A Final: placed 8th (6:18.53) Maria Markovich and cox Dylan Dodds F Lewins, N Smith, C Pratt, T Hurdley, The Coxed Four is the premier boat being A Final: placed 4th (7:00.79) The boys will commence training at Lake were also all successful in being selected for D Sanford, S Beadle, O Seiuli, Z Morgan boys u18 novice coxed sent, putting our boys amongst the top four Karapiro at the Rowing New Zealand the NZ North Island squad to compete girls u15 coxed four + F De Jong sweep rowers in the country. eight High Performance Centre for six weeks against the best of the South Island U18s S Meldrum, E Ellis, E Coman, M Bol A Final: placed 7th (6:42.16) S Davison, T Miller, M Callaghan, Selection to the team is a happy reward from 7 June. As they prepare and train in a series of races at Lake Karapiro over + S Barrack L Ngatai-Tafau, R Bluck, L Hayward, boys u18 coxed four for all the effort and focus these two boys for the Championship regatta they will the past few days, and coach Josh Schmidt A Final: placed 2nd (7:32.96) A Hauter, DEnglish + R Patton C Pracey, J Winter, F McSwiney, M Smith put into racing for both West End Rowing continue their secondary school studies was asked to coach the North Island boys’ A Final: placed 3rd (6:27.21) girls u16 coxed eight + D Dodds Club and MAGS over the course of the at St Peter’s School in Cambridge Eight. Carl stroked the boys’ Eight and season, on top of the silver medal they and will be accommodated at the Rob P Holmes, N James, K McHugh, A Final: placed 6th (6:40.54) boys u15 coxed eight Four, which won all their races, Maria was earned for MAGS at the Maadi Cup in the Waddell Lodge at Lake Karapiro. This N McHugh, H Thomas, T Clasper, S Davison, T Miller, M Callaghan, in the girls’ Eight, which came 2nd, and girls u17 coxed eight U18 pair. The boys began training 4 days will be a big challenge for the boys as B Lennon, EKlaassen + E Larsen L Ngatai-Tafau, B Pendreigh, L Hayward, the girls Four, which came 1st, and Dylan L Bradley, E Goddard, L Francis, K Wislang, after competing at Maadi 2014, showing they attempt to combine a heavy training A Final: placed 4th (7:06.68) J Morrow,D English + I Cairns coxed the boys’ Quad to wins. The North M Markovich, M Farquhar, V Peri, an outstanding work ethic and dedication load with sustained academic success, A Final: placed 4th (6:30.92) Island squad won the overall regatta, the girls u18 lightweight A Hirst+ B Shelton to the success of the team throughout the with both completing Y13 this year. first time in about seven years they have coxed four A Final: placed 8th (7:03.58) boys u18 novice coxed season. With this work behind them the Both will be held in good stead by the beaten their southern counterparts. G Hartnett, V Fookes, Z Lloydd, boys were able to arrive at Junior trials outstanding commitment they have shown boys u15 coxed four four J Small + E Tacon R Bluck, L Ngatai-Tafau, M Callaghan, and record very competitive erg scores of to combining training and study thus far. Notable also was a time Maria turned in F Lewins, T Hurdley, C Pratt, N Smith 6:15 ( Jonathan) and 6:12 (Fergus), and during a 2km erg test during the week - A Final: placed 7th (7:56.63) L Hayward + R Patton We are incredibly proud of the way Fergus + D Dodds they dominated their seat racing on-water 7:10 - the best of all the girls who trialled A Final: placed 1st (6:53.59) and Jonathan have exemplified girls u17 coxed eight A Final: placed 8th (7:36.19) through the week. It is worth noting too, for the North Island U18s. Like Jonathan, G Taine, E Klaassen, R Meldrum, L Blore, the culture we have sought to create boys u18 coxed eight boys u16 single sculls that Jonathan is still only an U17 athlete she too is still an Under 17 rower who has a E Kelleher, N McHugh, G Round, and we wish them the best of luck C Pracey, J Winter, F McSwiney, C Brann, J Shields and can come back to earn a place in the big future ahead of her. N James+ S Wall for the months ahead. T Butler, D Trumper, P Fladgate, M Smith A Final: placed 8th (8:18.29) junior team again the following year. A Final: placed 7th (7:00.10) +D Dodds girls u15 coxed eight A Final: placed 8th (6:32.54) S Meldrum, E Ellis, E Coman, N McHugh, DILWORTH JUNIOR TRIALS - BEN’s PERSPECTIVE K Speakman, A Lancaster, M Fitzgerald, M Bol + E Tacon boys u18 single sculls B Watkinson I was selected for the junior trials after placing first at the MAADI cup in the u18 single. The trials A Final: placed 2nd (7:26.02) were from the 12th-18th of April. On the Monday all of the trialists competed in a 2km erg, where we A Final: placed 1st (7:09.33) girls u18 novice coxed were put into a solitary squash court with one other selector in the room. I managed to come away with four a time of 6:18. J Dasent, R Obrien, B Waldin, A Guy On the Tuesday and the Wednesday, all of the scullers were put into quads, in which we seat raced over + B Lloyd 1000m. On Thursday I was placed in a single that afternoon to go out for a training row. I was great to A Final: placed 5th (8:03.28) get back into the single after not having been in it since MAADI. On Friday I was also placed in the single for both the morning and the afternoon session. This was good as it put me into a solid mind state for Saturday morning for the 2km prognostic. A prognostic is a time trial in which you have to get within 90% of the world junior time in your selected boat. BEN watkinson has rowed as a werc club Saturday morning was a very quite and nerve racking process. My time trial was due to start at 9:15am. rower the past two In the pouring rain, I was set off. The only thing in my mind was the fact that I had to make in to the seasons BUT then finish line and go through any pain I had to, to make the team. continues on to From now until I leave for camp on the 7th of June, I have been given a training program to follow prepresent Dilworth which includes on water training, ergs and cycling. we then have a camp for 8 weeks down at Karapiro at Maadi who no before we leave for Rio De Janeiro on the 31st of July. longer have a rowing programme. I would like to thank Lloyd Banton, Keith Page, Peter Watkinson and the rest of West End Rowing Club for always believing in me, and never giving up on me no matter how stubborn I am to coach. “Don’t hold back, always follow your dreams”. Thanks, Ben Watkinson PRESIDENT’S CLOSING DAY 2015

Up for grabs! The mighty WERC stein, ABOVE: Will he fall in. A the trial 8 winners cup coin is handed over so the ABOVE: SPC dominate! that lanes can be chosen for the final race LEFT: HAPPY COXWAINS

BELOW: HAPPY rowers

PHOTO FINISH!

ABOVE: Best of 3 races and it came down to a photo finish. Who ever selected these crews did an amazing job!!!

“Look at mummy”. Jen Steele’s kids watch on as she heads out to race

ABOVE: Max Weston our Patron speaks at Closing Day Closing Day 2015 Trial 8s Winning Crew RIGHT: A triumphant, Felix, stroke seat, Cox Ian Cairns, ABOVE: We were honoured to have family of enjoys a cold drink from his WERC stein. 8 Felix Drissner-Devine, Tony Gibson attend the closing day event 7 James Bradshaw, 6 Kaleb Grgicevich, 5 Simon Malpas, 4 Ethan Horne, 3 Matte Srhoj, 2 Nathan Phillips, Spectators talk tactics 1 Maxine Chappell Spotlight on “Masters of the Universe” BART DELFOS COLD DARK MORNINGS AND Every newsletter we ask another WERC member the same RAIN SOAKED REGATTAS REPORT By TIM RUSSELL questions and see what they have to say. This time we asked Bart Delfos to reveal something about himself and his time in rowing. For Master’s rowers the late summer his Devonport Community. Family, / autumn is traditionally focused on Church, North Shore Rowing and How long have you been a What’s your best achievement in training for the annual Legion of Rugby Clubs represented just a portion member of WERC? rowing? Bart on podium after winning the M/I single sculls Rowers regatta held at Lake Rotoroa of his involvements, all with a smile as medal at the 2009 World Masters at . Since January 1954 so that is 61 Joining West End and making so many (what an appropriate name!) on the wide as the Harbour Bridge. He’ll be years. very good friends over these 61 years. third Saturday of April. This year just mightily missed. What advice do you have for a handful of rowers went. Mike Lobel, Finally, an observation. Our group (or What made you join WERC? other West Enders? David Milne, Bronwyn Mennnick really a series of discreet sub-groups) is I had rowed in Holland for 5 years plus Trisha from North Shore had Have the best attitude in everything back training for the National Champs before coming to NZ and was keen developed a Mixed Four to racing you do towards your Club and your in September and beyond. That’s to find the best club in so I pitch with a combination of months club mates and keep rowing for as good to see. Lewis Beck does a great visited all the clubs here and found the of diligent work and precision in-boat long as you can. job coaching those who have come WERC was clearly the best club with coaching from 3 seat; Harry Waalkens, Other than rowing, what else do into rowing more recently. I wonder, the best people. Tim Russell, Mike Tolhurst and David you enjoy? however, how all WERC Masters can What’s your most memorable Milne were optimistic with regard I know I’ve seen those faces before. Harry work together to build a cohesive, self Waalkins left and Tim Russell right with new I enjoy everything in life. to their chances in both the E men’s rowing race? perpetuating and ultimately successful WERC tent. What are three things that most quad and straight four and finally, Gay Winning the Prem. Eight at group. Bart on right after morning row with crew West Enders probably don’t know Karapiro in 1957 Costain and Barbara Iversen planned to mates. To Bart’s right Mike Tolhurst, Tim Russell about you? Mature adults have a wide range of and a visiting rower John Parnell. row their double. competing activities, ages, histories seek ways to work together, encourage, I really have no idea. Sadly the day was blighted by a in the sport and therefore varying maybe coach and occasionally row in torrential downpour of biblical competencies, and levels of competitive crews across our sub-groups. It would proportions. The new West End tent hunger. Maybe its not surprising that be great to develop ways to build and (which Harry considered on Thursday REPORT BY HAYDEN LYNEX we cluster with those whose rowing strengthen the overall WERC masters WERC’s ADAPTIVE ROWING as likely to be surplus to requirements!!) interests and objectives are roughly culture. I await some constructive did its best to shelter us but, by 10 am The 2014 / 2015 season was a another Sometimes getting ourselves up and down the pontoon with all of our gear can the same as ours. However that reality discussion on whether we’d all like to very enjoyable season of competing be just as hard as the work on the water, so it is hugely appreciated! all those there present were soaked should not mean we do not actively do that and how it might be done. and training for the adaptive squad, The selfless time and energy put in by Alisdair McGeachie can not be overstated and shivering and by 12:30pm the despite there being a drop off in here, there were plenty of early mornings on the water and afternoons after work Organisers wisely called a halt to the numbers over the winter, resulting in on the erg’s. Thank you for all your support and teachings Alisdair! day and so we all (or most of us!) duly me being the sole rower. boat loaded and were only too happy to There was plenty of time spent on the head back to Auckland. water with just Alisdair and myself as we worked towards the summer I’m sure most of us raced at least regattas. The training camp over the once, and performed with credit. If early new year was really important as any medals were won I’m confident it led to some great improvements on in saying that no-one was interested the water and on the erg’s. in hanging around in that deluge, to Unfortunately the competition was a collect them. bit light at the nationals in , but recieving a gold medal on the podium As a group we all joined with our for West End is something I am dear friend, Barbara Iversen in hugely proud of. mourning the loss of her husband of 53 I’d like this opportunity to thank years, Malcolm, in mid April. Many everyone around the club who has of us attended his funeral and learned Masters brave cold dark morning while training over winter, but as you can see in background it usually brings some still water. Here Harry, Mike, Suz, Simon, David and Tim pose after morning row. leant a hand to us over the summer. of a man who had poured his life into Great RESULTS WITH our Learn To Row Course LEARN We had such a great response to our TO ROW first Learn to Row course that started Course starts in late March, with over 17 keen JUNE 20th 2015 newbies enrolling, that we are running March’s Learn to Row course training on the ergs on a Wednesday night. another 6 week course starting on the BOOK NOW, LIMITED PLACES 20th June. Running this course gives Commencing; Saturday June 20th the course potential new rowers a chance to learn runs for 6 weeks. about rowing and what a racing season Session times; Three sessions per week will be will entail before they have to form a conducted at West End Rowing Club - Saturday, crew and begin training, which we all Sunday morning and Wednesday night Participants; Must be 17 years of age or know is huge commitment. over, be able to swim 50m unassisted and be healthy enough to participate in moderate Please pass this on to any friends, physical exercise. colleagues or family who are interested Cost; The course costs $150 per person.* in giving rowing a go. They can find Location; West End Rowing Club more information and register on our website. www.werc.co.nz For more information & Thanks to Shane Page who has run the TO REGISTER NOW recent course. We do require further WWW.WERC.CO.NZ help to run the next course, so please Our men’s novice 8+ from 2014-15 season *T&Cs apply, see our website for these details get in touch with David Vallance if looking slick, the majority of who started rowing you can help. by taking our Learn to Row course last year.

Interesting reads: Til next time Internet is now available at the club Keep up with ’s adverntures Thanks again for all the contributors www.sportsground.co.nz/emmatwigg Athletes will have access to this to this newsletter, it’s a real team and is keeping internet, but if any inappropriate effort. Contributors this time were: a blog on his come back to the NZ content is downloaded the Kim Littlejohn, Suzanne Goldsbury, rowing squad. www.georgebridgewater. passwords will be changed and the Ged Campbell, Will Maling, Ben blogspot.co.nz privilege will be lost. The power is Watkinson, Hayden Lynex, Bart in your hands. Delfos and Timothy Russell. User name: West End Rowing Club THANKS TO OUR PRINTER The next WERC newsletter will be Password: akeakekiakaha out toward the end of the winter season. So in the meantime, good luck to all West Enders racing over the winter. If you have suggestions, any news to share, or good stories of rowing abroad, please email [email protected] AND THANKS TO OUR DESIGNER www.thedesignbach.co.nz We hope you enjoy this newsletter, til next time! Editor in chef - Designer - Kim Littlejohn for the production of this newsletter Suzanne Goldsbury www.thedesignbach.co.nz Kim & Suz

Administration and Communications team email - The home of [email protected] Like us on Facebook - search WestEndRowingClub Check out our upgraded website WWW.WERC.CO.NZ BARADENE MT ALBERT ST PETERS