Michael rowed in the Olympic 1868 Australian VIII (silver medal) as well as the 72 crew. He then coached the 1976 crew. He also has had a long and successful career as a schoolboy coach in NSW Australia.

Timestamps

01:30 Background in rowing 1963 St Ignatius' centenary rowing

3.30 Olympic crews - how I got selected. I rowed with Howard Croker

07:30 Won the Kings Cup and selected for 1972 Olympics

08:30 Freddy Bachmann - the reserve for the Swiss team won the Silver in M2-

11:00 Freddy's technique points

- legs compressed at front stops is "leg drive for free"

- accelerate the seat into the catch - this makes the boat go forward

- move off back stops together - also makes the boat go forward

15:00 School rowing - schoolboys have less time now to row. Their times haven't gone faster in 25 years.

21:00 Opportunities and challenges for schools rowing.

Water conditions are worse, they use camps a lot.

I see the Rowperfect rowing machine as the closest thing to simulate the rowing stroke.

23:50 There is not the same focus on technique now.

It's important but is being focus more on endurance.

25:30 The future for schools rowing in Australia

Training more anaerobic

Thor Nilsen advocated programmes

Schools don't have time to do the endurance.