School Rowing Camp in Melbourne

James Faire is coaching rowing at a school in Melbourne between January and March 2009.  During the first week of their programme, James and Adam Lilley, attended their school’s pre-season rowing camp in Country Victoria.  Below is an article on the trip written by James.

“We arrived at the school boat house at 7.00am on the 22nd January, not really knowing what was in store for us.  We were immediately taken in by the other coaches and shown around the place, and then upstairs to watch the boys do their first 2k erg test of the summer.  After this, we were all driven about 400km east of Melbourne to the training camp, a holiday park on the River Tambo called Swan Reach.  The boys then proceeded to get stuck into 5 days of solid training, with Adam and I coaching the U16 E’s and D’s respectively.

The first couple of days were spent trying to work off the rustiness developed by a month or two without touching a rowing boat, as the Australian Summer holiday was just finishing, but once the major problems had been ironed out, we all got down to the hard work (at least the boys did). Three sessions a day was helped by unlimited amounts of food, and the coaches seemed to have the best of both worlds, since all coaching was done from a speedboat behind the crews!!

On Sunday we had the afternoon off and were taken to the local town for a break and change of scenery.  Here Adam and I were told we couldn’t leave without sampling an Australian delicacy, Chicken Parma.  This amazing mix of creamy, cheesy chicken, tomato and potato was delicious and the offer of a ‘Parma and Pint’ for $12 (or £6) was one we couldn’t easily refuse!!

All too soon the camp was over and we were facing the four hour bus ride back to Melbourne.  The camp was a great success and has given the crews a solid base from which to work off over the coming season.  Adam and I enjoyed ourselves hugely and the boys and staff couldn’t have been more welcoming, and we are both looking forward to winning some races in the following weeks.”

James Faire

Why not find out more information about Rowing Australia and the Coaching and Rowing Academies then visit www.SportLived.co.uk