The Power of One

They say he is an only child . . .

Today was magnificent for rowing – warm but not too hot and no wind. The row up to Powerhouse was easy and the boat was synchronised. Timing was perfectly coordinated. Not much conversation at the Power House break but you’ve got to expect that when you’re the only one turning up.

(From our guest blogger John - all other contributions welcome!)

Video Stars

Weather:  Fine . . . wind 250/15kts

Temp:  About 20

River Condition:  Disturbed water where the tide meets the river flow

River Level:  Falling from 0.505m at 10:00am to 0.267m at midday

Boats:  Roche and O’Meara

Rowers:  Peter, Judy M, Judy O, Kerry, Mick and John

Extra:  Neil

Not a good day for small boats . . .

It wasn’t a good portend when a very competent sculler was heard to say the confluence of the tide, river flow and wind made for difficult conditions on the river.  There was only one volunteer to row in a scull – the man still doing his penance for the unmentionable crime!  We also welcomed Kerry back as a rower and we were also delighted that Peter could join us – we hope more of the ‘vets’ can come along on our Monday and Thursday rows.

Look out Jim - there is another contender for your seat!

Double click for a larger image

The flying foursome in action

Not so focussed foursome

I've seen worse camera work - can't remember when though!

Remember where the 'on' button is before they get out of sight!

You are forgiven John!

‘Holiday break’. . .

This blogger will be absent from rowing until Wednesday 4^th January at the earliest . . . interstate family members need some attention and of course there is Christmas.  There may be another post to celebrate our first year at Yarra Yarra – I have some ‘old’ photos that might be fun to upload.  Watch this space if you have nothing better to do over Christmas!

Elite Level Sculling

Weather:  Fine . . . wind 170/15kts

Temp:  About 20

River Condition:  Calm with definite downstream flow

River Level:  Falling from 0.232m at 10:00am to 0.007m at midday

Boats:  Gill, Taylor, O’Meara and Burton (all about 25' long)

Rowers:  John, Mick, Judy M and Neil

100 feet of fun . . .

Encouraged by our previous success, four would be ‘elite’ scullers headed out in beautiful river conditions this morning.  Like the ducklings we saw the other day, John was our ‘le canard la tête’ and he provided sound advice.  Mick was the most daring as he took out a ‘real’ scull for the first time, whereas Judy and I were happy to retain our training wheels for the moment.  The discerning amongst you will realise that I did not have the confidence to take my camera in the boat with me!  However, I will risk going for a swim with it when David and Kerry eventually venture out in singles . . . it might be worth the shot!

Getting ready for fun . . .

What a great place to row . . .

Just checking the same number of boats came back!

The morning after . . .

We all agreed that last night’s function went very well and that it was a good Club event.  Three witnesses heard Judy (M) say that she will organise next year’s function . . . which would suit me just fine!  I recommend that that our ‘executive chef’ Rob is immediately retained and that we try to fit in with other crews and groups.

Christmas Event

Weather:  Fine . . . but the crew reported headwinds for the entire row!

Temp:  About 17

River Condition:  Calm

River Level:  Rising from 0.262m at 5:00pm to 0.355m at 7:00pm

Boat:  Brown in sweep configuration

Rowers:  Jim, John, Mick, Lee and Ron

Extras:  Neil, Carolyn, David, Kerry, John J, Peter and nearly everyone’s partners!

Christmas Spirit:  Moderate

Quiet Row . . .

A very impressive crew quietly slipped away for a lovely evening row . . . they looked very competent as they headed up the river.  Mind you, there were a few rigging errors to be sorted before departure.  And we are not at all sure how far they went as it didn’t seem too long before they were back in shed! 

Look out 2012 Head of the Yarra

But they were back so soon?

Hey Jim . . . where's the crew gone?

Seasons Greetings . . .

We had our annual Christmas function this evening.  This year it was held at the Club in conjunction with several other rowing groups – and about half the Club’s membership came along.  Everything worked terrifically well and everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.  A very special thanks go to Rob O’Brien for being our chief cook . . . and to Jenny Yann for organising the caterer and moderating the entire event.  It was lovely to see David and Kerry back at the Club again and we are all looking forward to rowing with them again in the coming weeks.  All the very best for the Christmas and New Year period to everyone and we are looking forward to even more rowing in 2012!

Thanks Rob - you are a real champion!!

Not one person helping - that I can see?

These members personally won all those trophies!



Peter conducting a Master Class in Club History



There is a reason this is blurred!



How come these guys look like they have always been there?



Three green bottles . . .

Two green bottles . . .

French Connection

Weather:  Fine but cloudy . . . wind 210/12kts

Temp:  About 16

River Condition:  Moderate downstream flow

River Level:  Falling from 0.147m at 10:00am to 0.062m at midday

Boats:  Roche in quad four configuration & Mitchell

Rowers:  Carolyn, Neil, Mick, Judy M, John, Christian and Adrian

Nouveau amis français . . .

Today we made some new French friends.  We got chatting with Christian and his son Adrian (and Christian’s wife – I didn’t catch her name) as we were setting up.  Seeing they were experienced they ended up coming for a short paddle.  John and Mick watched from a pair.  Our visitors were in the two and three seats and we took a quick trip up to the Swan Street Bridge and back.  Later we took the Roche out again with the regulars in all the seats and had a lovely time.  Thanks everyone.

Carolyn, Christian, Adrian and Judy

Different countries, same strokes . . .

Lots of happy faces . . .

But not quite the Seine . . .



Ducklings under instruction . . .



Welcome Back Kerry

Weather:  Fine and warm . . . gusty northerly 350/10-20kts

Temp:  About 26

River Condition:  Moderate downstream flow

River Level:  Rising from 0.070m at 10:00am to 0.207m at midday

Boat:  Roche in quad four configuration

Rowers:  John, Neil, Mick, Carolyn and Kerry

Captain Kerry back in the seat . . .

Today we made Kerry feel especially welcome – it was the first time he had been to shed since February.  Some may call him a summer time rower, but actually he has been recovering from a range of injuries and surgery.  None of this stopped him taking control of the crew from the cox’s seat – let’s remember not to give him the microphone in future!

Come on you lot!

Look - we're in front!

Agreeing who finished first

Power House meeting place

That 'Royal barge' would be about right for this captain

Mystery boat - what do the flags mean?

Below Sea Level

Weather:  Fine and warm . . . wind 060-120/10KTS,

Temp:  About 26

River Condition:  Moderate downstream flow

River Level:  Falling from (0.150)m at 5:00pm to (0.268)m at 7:00pm (see note)

Rowers:  Jim, John, Mick, Peter and Neil

Extras:  Ron and Lee

Note – this level is measured against the Australian Height Datum (AHD) which is the theoretical sea level at 30 tide gauges around the coast of the Australian continent.  Of course tides ebb and flow down and up from that ‘average’ measurement – but it means tonight we were rowing ‘below sea level’.  See http://www.ga.gov.au/earth-monitoring/geodesy/geodetic-datums/australian-height-datum-ahd.html if you are really that interested.

There are some videos at the bottom of the page . . .

Very Low Water . . .

The water was so low that this eight parked at a 30 degree angle to the landing and each crew member ‘scrambled’ forward and exited the boat at the bow’s seat.  Wouldn’t it be nice to be so young and agile again!

Abandon ship . . .

Oops . . .

No – this wasn’t one of us!!  Someone ended up falling out of the boat just upstream from the sheds.  We all would have preferred it to happen right in front so we could enjoy the spectacle!!  There but the grace of some higher being (s) go us!  Double click on the picture for a good look.

Not a good look!

The Main Event . . .

We took out a sweep four and used the 2000m mark as our turning point.  It all went very well in rather warm and somewhat crowded conditions – but it was a beautiful evening for rowing and of course Jim has resumed his rightful position in the stroke’s seat! 

We were lucky to have ‘boat dispatch officer’ Lee on hand to help get us away from the very shallow water and to help drag the boat across the mud at the end. 

And we were also very pleased to be ‘gentlemen’ rowers once again – another crew wanted our boat so we just left it in the water!  Where are these people on Mondays and Thursdays?

Getting ready for launching . . .

Gentleman Jim setting the pace . . .

Bringing it on . . .

I can see the finish box . . .

 

Just another couple of dozen

Crusiing home

A beautiful evening for it!

Mission (Not) Accomplished

Weather:  Fine and very gusty . . . 110 at 15 - 20kts

Temp:  About 16

River Condition:  Moderate flow

River Level:  Rising from 0.105m at 10:00am to 0.130m at 11:00am

Rowers:  John, Carolyn, Mick and Neil

More Practice Needed . . .

We took out two pairs . . . but it was an abridged row.  Mick and I could not sit ours up for more than a couple of strokes at a time.  Perhaps we could blame the brisk SE wind or maybe the setup of the boat, but in truth it was probably our own incompetence.  John and Carolyn had similar issues and I ‘think’ they were still talking when they came back to the shed – although something about #$% the physics was heard as they were putting the boat away!   Some coaching in the art of pairs rowing from Jim might be in order if we can cajole him to the river one morning.

Optimistically preparing the boats

We Weren't the Only Ones . . . !


Just to prove there is justice in the world and confirmation that the conditions were VERY bad . . . this report was received from our roving rowing reporters!!


Dear Mick & Neil,

You would remember the "Olympian Pair" rowing so well as they passed us and we were full of admiration that they'd mastered today's conditions?

Well, they fell out of their boat!

They were sheepishly walking back on the bike track and when asked told us they lost control and collided with a bridge.  The boat was sinking so they decided to walk the boat back.

Doesn't this news make you feel better after today's rough row?

Carolyn & John



Oops . . .

And speaking of damaged boats - no, we didn’t do this!!  Brenton from the Carey shed has bought a coxless four for repair and restoration – it was damaged some time ago when it rammed an eight.  it looks like it might have hit the eight broadside and ridden up so as to break the nose section.  It does make you wonder how 13 people sitting in two boats didn’t see or say anything to avoid the collision.



They are VERY fragile!



But repairable with the right skills and materials

Before the Rain

Weather:  Fine but possible rain approaching – wind 210 at 10–20kts

Temp:  About 16

River Condition:  Moderate flow with considerable debris

River Level:  Falling from 0.610m at 10:00am to 0.292m at midday

Rowers:  John, Carolyn, Judy M, Mick and Neil

A Very Happy Crew . . .

Another delightful row – thanks team!  We took out a quad four and ‘rested’ at a crowded Powerhouse landing.  There were quite a number of novice crews on the river and we needed to take ‘evasive’ action a couple of times.  We also had some ‘equipment malfunctions’ . . .  some were purely mechanical and some human induced!

There is a prize for guessing why Mick is holding the oars!

Standing room only at Powerhouse

Meaningful deliberations . . .

They finally got me in a photo!

Look out at next year's Head of the Yarra!



Home and hosed

River Flows . . .

Some of us have noticed how fast the Yarra has been flowing of late – and we even battled to upstream against the flow on Monday of this week.  Interestingly, the flow rate at Heidelberg at midday on Monday (28^th Nov) was 16,962 M/Litres per day – whereas today at midday it was only 5,447 M/Litres per day.

So I guess that means we rowed three times as far going upstream but only a third the distance coming home - or something like that if we assume a constant level. 

According to my new friend at Melbourne Water, flows are not measured below Fairfield because this is the tidal area of the river.  And the actual measuring station at Fairfield is out of action due to the building a dam that fish can swim past – hence we are using the Heidelberg measurements.  Fascinating stuff . . . I know!!

Heidelberg Measuring Station