05 February 2026
As the academic year begins, the rowing season is already well underway. Over the summer break, our crews continued their preparation through camps at Finniss and a development trip to Melbourne, building fitness, skill and camaraderie as the season moves towards its final stages. Below, our rowing coaches reflect on what has been a busy and purposeful holiday period for the program.
The new academic year is underway. While the boys have moved up a year level, rowing has unfinished business and our season continues through this new term to its climax.
In preparation for the second half of the season, boys travelled to Finniss for rowing camps. These camps are a fundamental part of the programme, giving the boys time away together to build that crucial pillar of rowing, camaraderie. They are a highpoint of the boys’ season.
Rumours abound (an Adelaide specialty) of other school camps struggling with kangaroo vandalism, dormitories without power and sessions squeezed between powerboats and jet skis. Finniss, of course, has its foibles, principally wind and weed, but we are experienced in managing them. The School continues to invest in the site, with the dock rebuild progressing well. When complete, it will provide greater pontoon capacity and be purpose-built for rowing boats rather than sailing craft.
Senior Camp
By this stage of the season, senior trailer loading and unloading is a well-oiled machine. We have progressed from “that which is common to the most receives the least amount of care” to “many hands make light work”. The Seniors reversed the process just as efficiently on arrival, slotting straight back into camp routines. For the Year 12 students, there was a quiet awareness that this would be their final visit. The first two days were spent largely in four VIIIs, with Barnaby Eaton joining the coaches on the water and sharing his experience. With an eye on the future, the top four Inters’ ergs were invited to join the Seniors for the opening sessions. Owen Tan, Will Miller and Harrison McClurg fitted seamlessly into the senior boats, lifting the competitiveness of training. It was also pleasing to see pairs in use on the lagoon, with Atticus Clayton and Louis von Doussa getting their boat flying.
As the Inters arrived, the Seniors settled into three VIIIs and a four, with occasional forays into pairs. The Wylly crew trialled the Don for a session, receiving valuable feedback from telemetry on power production and timing. Each member of the squad also met individually with the coaching team to review goals and plan their way forward.
Midway through camp, Stuart excelled in the kitchen with slow-cooked beef brisket, followed by Laz’s sticky date pudding with caramel sauce. There were very clean plates that night.
Thursday afternoon was forecast for strong winds, conveniently coinciding with the camp’s beach day. Tom Beresford led a memorable exercise on timing and acceleration, using his new ute as the teaching tool. The whole squad found a way to contribute, with Tom later spotted riding high on the tray, perhaps a clever plan to ensure the vehicle could be restarted if needed.
Despite overcast skies, spirits were high at the beach. Brave swimmers, beach cricket and general mooching were punctuated by some impressive vertical leaps onto tree branches. The Middleton Tavern survived our visit, and the Seniors returned to Finniss for a well-earned sleep-in the next morning.
Inters Camp
There was no sleep-in for the Inters, who took advantage of the Seniors’ later start and headed out early. With the wind still lingering, the group searched for sheltered water, with Finn Redman leading expeditions through reed beds to find calm lagoons.
Great credit goes to Finn for taking a seat in the quad, and to Thomas Parkinson’s coaching, as the crew, including newest recruit Cooper Wagnitz, made excellent progress. As at Renmark, time was also spent building enthusiasm and confidence in the VIII.
Each morning on the lagoon brings something different. Pelicans glide past, mist rises on still days and new reed islands drift downstream. On the neighbouring paddocks, kangaroos lollop between the giant hay bales.
Despite seat racing and assurances that they were exhausted, the boys somehow found the energy for evening games of hide and seek. Contrasting approaches to recovery were on display, with Lucy leading the Seniors through stretching and mindfulness in the gym, while the Inters rampaged around Sheoak Run.
This camp marked a noticeable shift in the Inters’ group. The boys began taking greater ownership of what they were doing, understanding that they were working towards something for themselves, together, not simply following instructions.
Junior Camp
If I was impressed by the Inters’ energy, I was positively green with envy during the Junior camp. Their exuberance was boundless.
An electricity blackout greeted the group on arrival, but the Junior coaching team quickly kept the boys entertained on land until power was restored. Tremendous leadership was shown throughout the camp by Sam Burton, Estelle Wollin and Hugh Hazell.
Conditions were challenging early, with a crosswind pushing boats back onto the pontoon. The boys took it in their stride, apart from one quad whose rigger mishap, combined with stubborn weed, resulted in the crew standing on the bottom of the lagoon. Several boats required retrieval from the downwind end, but the lesson was clear: that which does not kill us makes us stronger.
While the Seniors faced Stuart’s infamous milk challenge, the Juniors fuelled themselves differently, demolishing breakfasts of hash browns, bacon and eggs. Their enthusiasm for flavouring syrups was particularly impressive.
Quiz night, organised by Eliza, revealed just how much the boys had learned about their coaches. Estelle’s scavenger hunt provided further excitement, with a highlight being the opportunity to row an VIII. Inevitably, some activities dissolved into water fights, but indoor options helped manage the heat.
On the final morning, everything ran like clockwork. The quads raced in the Championship of the Lagoon before boats were loaded efficiently, with the main trailer complete by 8.30am. With the support of parents accommodating an earlier pickup, the camp concluded smoothly.
Our camps would not be what they are without the support of Nick Jensen from Outdoor Education, the efforts of Active Ed catering and, above all, the coaches who give their time and enthusiasm so generously.
Wade Hall Craggs
Head of Rowing
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Melbourne Grammar School Development Trip
The Boat Club enjoyed another successful trip to Melbourne for our Melbourne Grammar School (MGS) Rowing Development Trip. After an early airport pickup on Thursday morning, the buzz among the boys was immediate as we travelled to Boathouse Drive, a remarkable hub of traditional boat sheds and constant rowing activity.
MGS once again made us feel welcome, encouraging us to make the shed our own. The boys were greeted with breakfast on arrival before heading onto the Yarra for a setup row, carefully navigating the busy waterway.
Following lunch at MGS, Lucy led a walking tour of Boathouse Drive, giving the boys insight into two powerhouse clubs, Melbourne University Boat Club and Mercantile Rowing Club. That afternoon, our crews trained alongside MGS, with some fours combining to form a composite VIII.
Friday morning brought racing between the two schools, with a specially prepared oar trophy up for grabs. While the result did not fall our way this year, our students conducted themselves exceptionally well, presenting the trophy to MGS with gracious words from Captain of Boats, Miles Chipperfield, which were warmly reciprocated.
With a big final day ahead, Friday afternoon offered a chance to unwind, with bowling and table tennis providing a welcome break before dinner in the city.
The trip concluded at the Barwon Regatta in Geelong, where extreme heat led to a modified race programme. Our crews faced strong competition, producing several gutsy performances, including an impressive heat win by the Wylly and determined efforts across the squad. While results were mixed, the opportunity to compete against the best programmes in the country was invaluable. The boys gained a great deal from racing at this level and representing the School with pride.
Thank you to all who supported the trip. The boys returned with experiences and memories that will stay with them well beyond the season.
Thomas Beresford
Assistant Head of Rowing
