'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 . . .

We're Right Behind You Jim!

Weather:  Cloudy but fine - southerly breeze

Temp:  About 9

River Condition:  Dead calm – 0.295m at 5:00pm falling to 0.152m at 7:00pm

Boats:  Bray

Rowers:  Jim, Peter, Mick, John, Lee

Organiser:  Ron

Photographer:  Neil

The fastest Yarra Yarra four on the river . . .

Our crew was the clearly the fastest Club crew on the river tonight – in fact I think we were the ONLY Club crew on the river!  And when I say ‘we’ – I actually mean ‘them’ as I didn’t actually row due to some important and urgent matters to do with my mother-in-law.

The broader ‘Vets’ crew wish you all the very best Jim as you face an uncertain time with a health matter . . . your position as our stroke is always secure whenever you are here!

I can't see any other boats out!

Winter rowers and proud of it!

Full Crew - 4th June

Weather:  Cloudy and threatening with rain

Temp:  About 10

River Condition:  Dead calm

Boat:  Roche

Rowers:  John, Judy O, Mick, Carolyn, Neil

Lovely place to be . . .

How nice it was to have a ‘full crew’ today . . . and what a fine crew it was too!  These winter rows are always a bonus as you never know what the weather is going to do – and today we cleverly dodged the earlier showers and the rain later in the day.

Perhaps the pictures and movies (could not load them for some reason - will try again later) speak for themselves . . .

Nice timing . . .

. . . and balance

Look out for the edge Judy!

Mitch's Birthday - 3rd June

Weather:  Cloudy and threatening with rain

Temp:  About 10

River Condition:  Dead calm

Boat:  None

Revelers:  John, Caroline, Mick, Jim, Lee, Peter, Ron (of course) and about 70 others

Lovely place for a party . . .

Thanks for the invitation to the party Ron . . . was a lovely day.  It was especially nice to hear from rowing, lodge, rugby and shipping friends - what about the motor cyclists?

Well deserved celebrations

Pretty much filled the Club

Mick, John and Carolyn

Esteemed guests

Champion lightweight four

Nicely spoken Mitch

Nice Rowing - 30th May

Weather:  Cloudy and threatening with rain

Temp:  About 10

River Condition:  Dead calm

Boat:  Mann and Bray

Rowers:  Jim, Peter, Gags, Neil, John, Mick & Mitch

Lovely place to be . . .

What a great row . . . John and Mick took out a pair and the rest of us 'manned up' in the four.  In fact, it was going so well that Mitch let us row down river for another hundred metres or so past our normal turning point.  We all though he had forgotten but he was just enjoying the row!

Missing Rower Routine - 28 May

Weather:  Cloudy but fine

Temp:  About 11

River Condition:  Dead calm

Boats:  Roche

Rowers:  John, Carolyn, Neil, Kerry

Missing rower routine . . .

It was nice to be back into a four yet again – even if there were only three rowers.  Hopefully we’ll get a few more as the weather fines up later in the year.

Nice work rate . . .

. . . good timing . . .

. . . and effort

NIght Rowing - 23 May

Weather:  Cloudy and threatening with rain

Temp:  About 10

River Condition:  Dead calm

Boats:  Mann & Bray

Rowers:  Jim, Peter, Gags, Neil, John, Mick & Mitch

Rowing in the Dark . . .

It was nice to be back into a four again – even if we could not see what we were doing!  Mick and John were in a pair and we saw them occasionally as they zigged and zagged up and down the river . . . and I am afraid my photography skills need some practice!

It was a dark and gloomy night . . .