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Masterful Mentors . . .

Weather:  Beautiful sunny winter day with some wind

Temp:  About 11 without the wind chill factor

River Condition:  Increasing downstream flow

River Level:   (0.075) m at 10:00am rising to 0.140 m at midday

Boat:  Roche

Rowers:  Mick, Judy M, John, Neil

Bring on 2042 . . . 

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Our heroes!

The Banks ‘vets’ are an inspiration and if we are rowing like some of them at their age we will be in good shape.  The oldest of them is about 94 so we will need to be still rowing in the year 2042 if we are to match their efforts!  Mind you, today would be about the seven thousandth time they have been out together and they are still barking instructions at each other about how to maneuver the boat and such things.

And as Judy M said today, those eights really do look very nice.  We should try to get one out on the river one day soon – with some coordination it should be possible as we have the numbers and the weather is continuing to improve all the time.

A fine looking crew

Disturbing the river

Fine technique

Come on John - they are getting away from you!

In the meantime, the ‘three of us’ headed out in the Roche – we used the ‘missing rower’ procedure and left the three seat empty.  We waved to Carolyn as we went past and, seeing that John was in the cox’s seat, we naturally took the scenic route around the island to Powerhouse.  

After a quick turnaround (due to the cold wind) we headed back against some stronger than expected headwinds and waves.  However, I am pleased to say that the crew was up to the challenge and we made it home in good time.

Thanks everyone – and we will see you again on Monday.

The 'A Team' Crew

Weather:  Cool winter evening with some wind

Temp:  About 9

River Condition:  Fast downstream flow

River Level:   0.445 mm at 6:00pm falling to 0.390 m at 7:00pm

Boat:  Bray

Rowers:  Jim, John, Neil, Mick, Gags (and Peter for drinks)

Stunning sunset . . .

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Melbourne Sunset

What a wonderful evening for rowing . . . and when we arrived the sunset was just stunning.

There was a bit of a 'reality check' when we learned about Mitch’s collision with a pole in his car last night . . . you have to watch out for those damned objects that leap out onto the road!  Take care Ron and we hope to see you back and around the place very soon.

As we discussed who was going to sit where in the boat it became increasingly apparent that anywhere but the cox’s seat would be good for John – the effects of his government sponsored ‘long lunch’ were still quite apparent and we all considered Gags was the safer option.  

And so we headed off upstream with a serious mindset and we were all very impressed with how well rowed.  We could probably be legends in our own government sponsored long lunchtime!  The row home was also very good, although things became a little sloppy at the ‘intertidal’ zone between the Morell and Swan Street Bridges.  Being the consummate professionals we are we punched through the adversity and emerged a stronger unit for the ‘dash to the line’!  

I can confidently report that we were by far the fastest four on the river this evening – or at least we did not see another one.  Indeed, there was some conversation about Frank Hardy's Power Without Glory - we could well have been the John Wren of the river this evening.

And we were very impressed with the ‘innovative’ method of rowing when we were downstream of the Princes Bridge . . . John demonstrated the now perfected "sideways propulsion technique".  Personally I find that there is less drag when the boat proceeds through the water longitudinally, but I am willing to consider the benefits of the lateral method as well!

For all those who know, next week is the last time that our stroke Jim will be with us before his operation . . . it would be nice to have as many as possible present to wish him well. 

Tour de Yarra

Weather:  Surprisingly mild mid-winter morning

Temp:  About 9

River Condition:  Fast downstream flow – but otherwise calm

River Level:   (0.023)m at 10:00am falling to (0.223)m at midday

Boat:  Mann

Rowers:  John, Carolyn, Neil

Gorgeous morning . . .

We again waited some time for other rowers to turn up . . . but when it became apparent that it was only us we had the choice of taking the elegant option a pair and a single or the much more social tub pair.  We chose the latter.   

And what a beautiful job we did of handling the Mann in amongst the constant chatter of the AGM, football, ballet, opera, Sydney’s Opera House and many other subjects.  I was fortunate enough to be sitting behind John’s new t-shirt with a map of the 2012 Tour de France so I was at last able to follow one of the sporting conversations!

It was a bit of a slog going upstream . . . but the ‘river-assisted’ velocity was quite remarkable on the way home . . . or perhaps it was my stellar steering?

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The fantastic Foleys in action

A demonstration in technique

AGM

Weather:  Lovely winter afternoon

Temp:  About 12

River Condition:  Dead calm 

Excitement Level:   High and rising

New Boats:  Sutherland and Yann

Rowers:  The entire Club

Interesting Afternoon . . .

Kerry and I were the ‘new Vets’ representatives at this year’s AGM . . . and we chose to take a leaf out of the ‘old Vets’ book and sit back and watch the proceedings.  There some line items in the accounts that we did not understand, but overall we seem to be in a healthy position.   

We watched  all the awards with great interest . . . and noted that our very own Gags got by far the biggest applause when he was announced ‘club person’ of the year.  The only item of uncertainty was the election of Club President . . . but it turned out to be non-event and Fiona Dixon was re-elected in a landslide.

We all watched the traditional naming of the Sutherland and Yann – and there really no truth in the rumour that Yarra Yarra is going to be re-named Yann Yann!

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Our President Fiona Dixon officiating

Liz Sutherland addressing the crowd

How's that - Jenny Yann's forehand drive

Bad Moon Rising

Weather:  Surprisingly mild mid-winter evening

Temp:  About 12

River Condition:  Dead flat but with rapid flow

River Level:   0.280m at falling 6:00pmo 0.200m at 7:00pm

Boat:  Mann

Rowers:  Jim, Gags, Neil

Beautiful evening . . .

We waited some time for other rowers to turn up . . . but when we realised that it was only us we naturally decided to head out in the ‘fastest tub pair on the river’.  And what a beautiful evening it was for rowing – we all commented on how lovely the reflected city lights looks in the wonderfully smooth and calm Yarra. 

 

Being the competitive lot that we are we of course ‘gave it our all’ for 4,000m to the point that Gags was pooped and the end of the row!  Perhaps it was the full moon that drove us on?

And there is a prize for the first person who can remember the combination for Jim’s locker for the week or so when he is away for his operation later this month – we will still need to use his lights and seat padding.  

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Lovely Reflections

There's that bad moon

Ghost rowers in the moonlight

City reflections 1

City reflections 2

Mann . . . that was a tough row!!

'Insert Your Name' Here

Weather:  All seasons over the years

Temp:  From freezing to 45 degrees

River Condition:  Dead calm to oceanic

River Level:   All levels

Boat:  That’s the topic

Rowers:  Everyone

Esteemed group . . .

Little did we know that when we joined the ‘YY Vets’ a couple of years ago that were getting front row seats to the main hall of Yarra Yarra’s Club history.  These ‘old blokes’ who go rowing every Wednesday evening carry with them the collective knowledge and history of the Club and upon reflection we are very grateful that they have fully accepted us ‘new members’ in the way they have. 

It should come as no surprise that every one of the regular ‘Vets’ has at least one boat named after them . . . and for some as many as three boats carry their names.  You guys have paid your dues over again.

There have been two boats named Peter Gill

The biggest one is the eight named after our stroke Jim

One of the many Ron Mitchells - and the Mark Brown

We all wondered who this was . . . and then someone said 'Gags'!

Yet another cloned version of the Ron Mitchell

That would be Ron Mitchell yet again

So who IS Ron Mitchell?

 So, the approaching AGM and awards evening got me thinking who would be first of the ‘new members’ to have boat named after them.  I can think of quite a few worthy contenders . . .

Fastest Tub Pair on the River!

Weather:  Fine but windy

Temp:  About 13

River Condition:  Calm except in the unprotected areas

River Level:   0.105m at 10:00am rising to 0.252m at 11:00am

Boat:  Mann

Rowers:  Carolyn, John and Neil

And then there were three . . .

Three would be rowers turned up this morning and we took the easy option of rowing the Mann.  John took up his customary position of ‘captain’ of the ship and expertly steered to the 2,000m mark and back leaving Carolyn and me to do all the work!  The general consensus was that both stroke and bow sides rowed very well both individually and together!  As Jim would say – we were the fastest tub pair on the river!

However, the main topic of conversation concerned the repairs to the ramp.  Does anyone know what is happening?   As a casual obverser it appears as if some very sturdy barriers have been constructed around a few boards that need replacing.  I asked Jenny Yann and even she doesn't know what is going on.  Still, I guess the engineers know what they are doing.

Does anyone know the plan?

Standing and Waving

Weather:  Fine, cloudy and windy

Temp:  About 12

River Condition:  Calm except in the ‘standing wave’ area
River Level:   0.060m at 10:00am falling to (0.68)m at midday

Boat:  Roche

Rowers:  Susan, Kerry, John, Carolyn and Neil

Waving . . .

What a marvellous crew we had this morning . . . it all seemed to click together despite the windy conditions.  Kerry would agrue it was because his work in the vital three position - or maybe he was concerned about the bee crawling around his seat!  John confirmed his status as coach as he put us through our paces on the way home – although it sounded a bit like a party going down the back there!  The rest of the crew would like you to share the jokes on the ‘cox box’ PA system!
And we managed to power through the ‘standing wave’ turbulence on the Yarra OK . . . this is where the incoming tide meets the flowing river.  Kerry misinterpreted my explanation and started waving to the people on the bank (seriously!) . . . a simple clarification is presented at http://www.acs.psu.edu/drussell/Demos/superposition/superposition.html.

Nicely balanced and controlled exit

Kerry still wondering about the bee!

Starting to puff a little

The new sychronised method of entry!

The cast rehearsing The Pirates of Penzance

Power Crew

Weather:  Fine, cloudy but very windy

Temp:  About 10

River Condition:  Quite choppy except in protected areas

River Level:   0.327m at 6:00pm falling to 0.254m at 7:00pm

Boat:  Bray

Rowers:  Jim, John, Neil, Peter, Leigh

Damn We Are Good . . .

What a great crew we were tonight!  Despite the cold, dark and windy conditions we seemed to just power through the waves.  Perhaps it was Jim’s expert stroking or maybe Leigh’s stellar coxing . . . but John and I put it down to the expertise and power of the boat’s ‘engine room’ in the two and three seats!

Despite our fantastic row, we are all delighted that today is shortest day of the year and things will only get brighter from here.

Nice outfit Leigh!

New Configuration . . .

Weather:  Fine, cloudy and windy

Temp:  About 13

River Condition:  Calm in protected areas – 0.337m at 10:00am falling to 0.330m at midday

Boat:  Bray

Rowers:  Susan, Judy M, Carolyn, Mick, Neil

 

Welcome Susan . . .

Today we welcomed Susan Read to our little rowing group – we hope she can become one of our regulars.  And it was also pleasing to have Judy M back from holidays and illness.

Just for something completely different, we decided to take the Bray (sweep oars) out today as the Ricketts is out of action without a rudder!  Don’t even ask!

There was a 'boat jam' at the Power House landing as the Banks eight and a bunch of school children in canoes were taking up most of the deck.  With great skill, a lot of luck and a puff of wind just the right time we managed to squeeze into what seemed to be an impossible space.

Even more competition for the coverted seat!

Setting a good pace

Crowded Power House

The new 'team' - including Mick Singh from the Punjab

Approaching the Winter Soltice

Weather:  Cloudy but fine

Temp:  About 9

River Condition:  Calm in protected areas – 0.045 m at 5:00pm rising to 0.270 m at 7:00pm

Boats:  Bray

Rowers:  Jim, Mark, Peter, Mick, Neil

All good Jim . . .

We were very pleased to hear your ‘good news’ Jim . . . here’s hoping your operation goes well in a few weeks and we all look forward to many more years of having you in the stroke’s seat!  Speaking of which – you clearly stroked the fastest and best four on the river tonight . . . where do all these fit young people go in depths of winter?  The good news is that as of next week the days start getting longer - again.

It was a another dark night . . .

First - Check There is a River!

Weather:  Cloudy but fine

Temp:  About 9

River Condition:  Calm in protected areas – (0.418)m at 10:00am

Boats:  Brown and Gill

'Would be' Rowers:  John, Mick, Neil

New checklist required . . .

Three of us ‘winter rowers’ turned up bright and early ready and decided to take out a pair and ‘scud’.  Once all the riggers were set and books signed Mick headed for the river – only to discover that it wasn’t there!  Well, the river was so low that there was nowhere to launch the boats. 

We initially thought that we could walk to Richmond (club not suburb!) and launch there – so John and I cleverly manoeuvred Brown and tried floating it on the mud.  We eventually gave up when we realised that even the Banks Vets crew had decided they could not get out!  John did suggest a coffee – but instead we each headed home.

So – note to self . . . first check to see if there is a river before getting the boats ready!

There is no way this will float here . . .