WOW!!!!!!! FOUR, 2009 WORLD CHAMPION ROWING CREWS August 31, 2009
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Waitemata Rowing Club applauds the fine performances of the NZ Rowing team at the 2009 World Championships held in Poznan, Poland.
The list of medal performances this year from Junior, U23 and Elite crews has been truly capped off by the winning efforts of Mahe Drysdale (1X), Hamish Bond & Eric Murray (2-), Duncan Grant (LW1X) and Peter Taylor & Storm Uru (LW2X).
CONGRATULATIONS TO EVERYONE – Your performances are inspiring
Complete list of people selected for the 2009 ARA I-P crews August 31, 2009
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Rebecca has joined a large representative team……
Here’s a list of all the rowers in the 2009 Inter-Provincial team.
2009 ARA I-P crews.doc
REBECCA CRAY selected in the 2009 Auckland U20 Inter Provincial crew!!! August 30, 2009
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Earlier this month Rebecca took part in extensive trials to select an Auckland U20 crew to compete in the 2009 Inter Provincial regatta to be held at Lake Karapiro in early October.
REBECCA WAS SELECTED!! and she is now training with that group of young women.
Here are her own words describing her experience at the trials……..
“I.P. trials commenced with a 2k erg test on Sunday the 9th of August. This was effectively a ‘trial for trials’ that were on the following weekend. I arrived at the West end rowing club and it was packed with people. There’s tall…and then there’s TALL. I found I was of the former variety. To cut a long story short I made it in to the on the water trials the following weekend.
The on the water trials were much more intense and comprehensive. Sixteen girls were trialling, that meant a lot of possible combinations to be tested. Over the two days I probably completed twelve – ish races, the majority of which I won. We were not to be informed of who got into the final crew until the following Tuesday, which, being two whole days away, seemed like a bloody long time!
So yea, that was a brief recollection of my experience of I.P. trials. It wasn’t plain sailing, like anything it had its ups and downs, but I definitely think I’ve learnt a lot from this experience and proven to myself that if you don’t try you’ll never know.
(THE END)”
Brian Parr elected President of the ARA August 9, 2009
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At the Annual General Meeting of the Auckland Rowing Association, held today, our Life Member and Commodore, BRIAN PARR, was elected to the office of President.
Brian will be involved with the implementation of a new governance structure for the ARA – the region now has a board comprising both non-elected and elected positions and there is concern that this form of administration will become remote and removed from the ‘grassroots’.
Brian hinted at this unease when he offered to be the clubs’ go-between/liaison to help smooth the transition.
Congratulations Brian.
Brian Parr at Henley 2009 August 9, 2009
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Here’s a photo of Brian Parr ‘noting’ with Rowing Royalty in the person of Sir Stephen Redgrave
‘Red’ Williamson August 9, 2009
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It is with a mixture of grief, & gratitude to have known him in his “early rowing days” , that I write to record the connection between our Club, & Red Williamson, who recently died following a period of health problems which we all thought he had overcome in his usual strong manner.
Red started his rowing career at the Waitemata Club, when it was based at Okahu Bay, on the Tamaki Rd. waterfront, some 55 years ago.
He became involved through the “ Business House “ competition for the John Thompson Memorial Cup.
He rowed for the McAlpine Refrigeration Co. team & during his years at the Club & McAlpines, brought into the sport many new rowers who enjoyed successful involvement & much Camaraderie.
It was not long before he became part of the crew that became the Heavy Maiden Class Champions, with
Martin Collett, Dan Whip, & Don Doughty,
Later they had Ray Mikklesen in the Stroke seat & shortly afterwards Ray Reid joined them as they became the Champion Junior 4+ .
This crew also competed in the Senior(now Premier) class with more than a little success.
In those days it was common to have regular “ Trial “ races at the Club on weekends between regattas. Red was a strong supporter for these events & won many of the Trophies on offer.
He filled most, if not all, administrative positions on the Club Committee, & even talked his father into becoming Secretary for a number of years.
The Club was never very financial, & when coaching boats started to appear at some clubs, ( coaching used to be done from the coxswains seat !!) he decided that we would build one !
Red led the team that spent many hours building & getting the boat onto the water, powered by a home converted Ford 10 motor. Such were his skills & wide ranging adaptiveness to new ideas & changing technologies, which continued throughout his Working & Rowing life, that he was always in demand to guide & train crews wherever he became involved.
His involvement in our Club was the core for a good period of successes for the Club, in the scene of true amateur rowing, & it is recorded in many photos within the Club records.
Our condolences go towards his wife, Marion, & their family.
(Provided by Brian Parr, Life Member of Waitemata Rowing Club)
