Rowing

General Information 
 
Ascham offers an inclusive training and competition program for rowers from Years 7 to 12 with any ability from beginner to advanced welcome. Summer Rowing runs from the start of Term 4 until the end of Term 1 with Winter training offered during Terms 2 and 3. During the summer season, the program offers 3 squads to allow students to tailor their level of involvement to their goals whilst in Winter students are split into age groups. 
 
rowing@ascham.nsw.edu.au 

Levels 

The below levels are offered throughout the summer terms to allow students to tailor their level of involvement throughout the competition season:

– To ensure we support students within our Rowing program to achieve their goals we have based the structure of the program on the national Foundation, Talent, Elite and Mastery (FTEM) framework for long-term athlete development. This integrated and progressive approach aims to empower and support participants to develop a lifelong interest in sport and physical activity.

– The Ascham Rowing Program is divided into three squads based on the desired level of involvement. All squads participate in a minimum of 2 training sessions per week plus either Saturday morning Rowing or a Regatta. 

During Winter Rowing, students are split into age groups to train. Both Juniors and Seniors train twice a week on-water with an optional third off-water session in the Ascham Performance Centre. 

Training Schedule 

The Summer Rowing Schedule can be found below.

Please note that there may be some Saturday and Sunday regattas. Details can be found under Key Dates. 

The Winter Rowing schedule can be found below. 

Transport  

Key Dates and Times 

Uniform 

Students should wear their Ascham sports uniform (including track pants and jacket) before and after Rowing. 

Training (off water) 

• Blue shorts 

• White polo OR Ascham indigenous jersey OR blue training tee 

• Training/running shoes 

• Water bottle and small towel 

Training (on water) 

• Blue training zoot suit 

or 

• blue shorts plus blue training tee OR Ascham indigenous jersey (long or short sleeved) OR white polo shirt 

• Blue sports cap OR white visor 

• Crocs, slides or boat shoes 

• Water bottle 

Racing 

• Red zoot suit 

• Ascham indigenous jersey (long-sleeved is recommended) 

• White visor 

• Crocs, slides or boat shoes 

• Water bottle 

Please remember that the weather can be variable and the following supplementary items are suggested:
– beanie (cold weather only)
– thermals under zoot suit/shorts and tee (cold weather only)
– long sleeved white UV-resistant top under zoot suit/shorts and tee (high UV/sunny weather) 

Inclement Weather 

In the event of un-rowable weather, based upon Bureau of Meteorology Marine Warnings and forecasts, an indoor rowing session may take place at the Ascham Performance Centre. However, this will not always be able to be coordinated, and therefore will not always be the case. Any adjustments to sessions will be communicated to parents via email and to the MS Teams Rowing group. 

Selection 

The Ascham Rowing Program is committed to ensuring all Rowers are provided with every possible opportunity to be selected to represent the School at competitive rowing events. 

Crew selection and boat allocation will be based on the following objective and subjective criteria: 

• ŸErgometer Test 

• ŸSculling Trials 

• ŸRowing Technique 

• ŸCompatibility with other potential crew members 

• ŸSeat Racing 

1. Ergometer Tests

Students will be assessed using Ergometer tests to measure individual performance of strength, fitness and rowing technique. 

-             Juniors (Year 7–9) will take part in a 1000m erg trial 

-             Seniors (Year 10 and above) will take part in a 2000m erg trial 

2. Sculling Trials

Students will be further assessed using ‘on water’ sculling trials to determine who can move the boat the fastest on the water. 

Times will be assessed using a Global Positioning System (GPS) monitor or via stopwatch timing.  

All sculling trials will be conducted over 1,000m due to limitations of the Wolli Creek rowing course.  

Some races will be in time trial format (against the clock) and others will be side by side. 

3. Rowing Technique

Students will be judged on the competency of their technique, but especially their sense of rhythm, their blade work and their power generation during the drive phase of the stroke. 

For crew boats, Selectors will look for any technical anomalies which might disturb the crew’s rhythm or the run of the boat. 

4. Compatibility with other potential crew members

Other factors that affect boat speed may be taken into consideration during the selection process, including: 

• ŸStudent goals and attitude, particularly consistency of training. 

• ŸStudent height, limb length and flexibility. 

• ŸCrew timing, such as timing at the catch, synchronisation of body swing and application of power. 

    Long term partnerships where students have raced successfully for multiple seasons or have proven excellence in performance may retain their crew positions at the discretion of the Head Coach. 

   5. Seat Racing 

          Seat racing involves placing individual students into crews which then race against each other to determine which crew is the fastest. Individuals are then swapped between boats in order to trial combinations in an effort to find the fastest            combination. 

Selection Decisions 

All selection decisions are made by the Ascham Head Rowing Coach according to this selection criteria, in collaboration with senior rowing coaches and the Head of Sport. 

Reserve Rowers 

Students who nominate but are not successful in making crews may be considered and selected as reserve or backup rowers. Rowers who do not make the 1st crew of their year, may be given the option to race as the 2nd or 3rd crew in that boat class. 

Non-Attendance at Selection Trials 

Any student who is unable to attend a formal selection trial must forward a medical certificate to the Head Coach. That student will then be trialled at the next available opportunity. 

Regattas and Racing 

Students will be required to give priority to race in their selected crew. At the discretion of Head Coach they may also be given the opportunity to race in other boat classes. For example, crew members who are selected to race in a quad may also race doubles or singles at a regatta provided that there are no clashes within the regatta timetable and that boats are available. 

Boat Usage and Priority 

Students will be given the opportunity to train in the racing singles based on the following criteria. Students must meet the level of competencies outlined under the heading below.

b.In the event that more than one student meets the competencies, priority will be given to the student who trains with the most discipline and consistency. In situations where all students meet the same standard, boats will be shared evenly. This is at the discretion of the Head Coach.
c. For regattas, if there are more students racing than available boats, a race will be conducted in the week prior to competition. The faster rowers will receive boat priority. 

Students should be able to demonstrate the following competencies:

• Ability to row 10km continuously
• Maintain concentration from bridge to bridge (2km)
• Correct placement of oars into gates
• Recovery position with good posture throughout and strong rock-over position at catch
• Good drive technique
• Good blade depth
• Row intervals at a higher rate whilst holding reasonable form
• Make corrections to their course without stopping or checking
• Navigate whilst strictly observing waterway rules
• Row a single in winds of up to 20 knots
• Show due care and attention when washing and storing boats and blades 

MS Teams 

All information regarding Rowing for students will occur on MS Teams. 

Please see below some important information regarding MS Teams. 

Updates

All updates regarding teams will be posted in their individual MS Team. This could include inclement weather updates, venue updates, training updates etc. It is recommended that students download the MS Teams app on their phone and enable notifications so they can receive updates promptly.  

Absences

Students are required to use the ‘Absences’ channel to inform their Coach, Head Coach and Sports Administrator that they are unable to make a training or match. The Sports Department asks that as much notice as possible is given for absences, particularly for matches. Students should write the date they will be absent and where possible the reason. 

Tagging

Students are asked that when they write a message in their Team, that they tag the relevant people. To tag someone, type the ‘@’ symbol and then write either the relevant person’s name or the Team’s name to inform the whole group. 

Online Behaviour

As outlined in Ascham’s IT policy, students must adhere to appropriate online behaviour. We ask that comments are carefully considered before posting. 

Sporting Venues 

A complete list of Sporting Venues is available on the Sports Venues page. 

https://hub.ascham.nsw.edu.au/co-curricular/sports/sports-venues/sports-venues 

rowing@ascham.nsw.edu.au