Rowing Recap

Over the school holidays, our rowers had the opportunity to train, compete, and strengthen their teamwork through two significant events—the Melbourne Development Tour and the Finniss Training Camp.

Melbourne Development Tour
A group of 36 students and rowing staff travelled to Melbourne for the inaugural Melbourne Development Tour, an intensive training experience alongside Melbourne Grammar School (MGS). Upon arrival, it was clear we had left our Adelaide bubble, with the Yarra River providing a high-energy environment filled with rowing activity—including the occasional rogue “Go Boat” to keep things interesting.

After settling in at the MGS Boat Shed, the boys jumped straight into rigging before taking to the water. Senior coach Brigette Carlille set the tone early: we are here for a purpose—let’s use last week’s work and stay focused on our crew objectives. Following a solid session, the team enjoyed a sit-down lunch with MGS, quickly breaking the ice and building connections with their new training partners.

The second day began with a walk through the CBD to the sheds, where crews had a side-by-side race prep briefing led by MGS 1st VIII Coach Noel Donaldson. A series of coin tosses determined lane draws, with a loud cheer from SPSC as The Don crew secured the pick of the lanes. After a morning of competitive racing, the team toured the Melbourne University Boat Club (MUBC) with Olympic gold medallist Lucy Stephan, who shared her experiences and showcased her Tokyo Olympic oar.

As the tour progressed, SPSC and MGS rowers trained side by side, challenging each other in preparation for the upcoming Barwon Regatta. The growing camaraderie was evident during team dinners and a recovery session at the MGS pool, which soon turned into a fiercely contested volleyball match, narrowly won by MGS.

Barwon Regatta – Race Day
The final day saw an early departure for Geelong, where crews took to the Barwon River to compete against some of Victoria’s strongest school rowing teams. The Digby VIII set the tone with a dominant heat win, while other crews put in competitive performances against tough opposition.

Race Highlights: 

• The Digby VIII won its heat by 3.37 seconds over Geelong College and 20.63 seconds over MGS, securing a spot in the A-Final of Division 3.
• The Blackburn VIII faced a strong field, finishing 5.29 seconds behind Scotch VIC but a commanding 47.60 seconds ahead of Xavier College.
• The Don VIII put in a strong performance, finishing 4.53 seconds ahead of MGS and just 2.97 seconds behind Scotch VIC.

In the Schoolboy IV event, The Wyatt IV secured an A-Final spot, finishing 6.46 seconds behind St Patrick’s but edging out Ballarat Clarendon to claim a top-two finish.

A special thanks to Geelong Grammar for allowing us to use their facilities post-race – an offer no doubt appreciated by airline staff on our return flight!

Finniss Training Camp – Juniors, Inters and Seniors 
Alongside the Melbourne Tour, our Intermediate and Senior rowers honed their skills at Finniss, taking full advantage of the newly upgraded facilities. The Seniors began with a focused training block, working in four VIIIs rowing blade tip to blade tip along the Finniss River—an inspiring and powerful sight. Despite rough waters, the crews remained determined, training in three yellow VIIIs alongside the Digby.

For the Intermediates, the camp provided a challenging but rewarding introduction, welcoming three new rowers to the squad. A morning session in single sculls beneath a rainbow was a well-earned reward for their resilience and teamwork. The Juniors also took part in a confidence-building program, refining their technique in quads, doubles, and single sculls.

These camps and competitions continue to be a highlight of the Rowing program, strengthening not only our rowers’ technical skills but also their sense of camaraderie. A huge thank you to our coaches, staff, and caterers, whose dedication creates an environment in which our boys can thrive.

With a strong foundation set over the holidays, we look forward to an exciting second half of the season.

Wade Hall-Craggs
Head of Rowing

Tom Beresford
Assistant Head of Rowing