Scotch College

Scotch rowers make their mark in youth rowing

WORDS: Mr TOM WOODRUFF

From 5 to 7 September, several members of the Scotch community represented Victoria most successfully in the under 21 youth rowing cup, held at Kawana Waters, Queensland. All Australian states and territories were represented at the championships, as well as New Zealand.

To make the team, all members were tested on ergometers and attended a selection regatta where they raced in both sculls and pairs. Each member of the eight-man team raced in three separate boat classes over the three days; a small boat (scull, double scull or pair) on the first day, a four or quad on day two, and the eight on the final day.

The Scotch Collegians raced with a great deal of success, in particular the sweep men, who won the A pair (Will Lockwood), coxless four (Will Lockwood/Josh Booth/Tom Simpson) and the eight (Will Lockwood/Josh Booth/Tom Simpson/Lachlan McKenzie), along with a second place in the B pair (Josh Booth/Tom Simpson).

The final race on the program, the men’s eight, was hotly contested. The Victorian crew was confident, after a solid heat win over NSW placed them in the final against the home state, Queensland, and New Zealand. The Victorian crew, with four crew members from the Scotch community as well as the coach, took control of the race early. They were able to hold the advantage as the crews were buffeted through the middle 1000 metres by strong direct cross-winds, winning by around a length. New Zealand was second and Queensland third. GS