The Coxswain's Journey - In the sport of rowing!

In this episode, I have the privilege of being joined by Jo Cripps, the winner of the 2024 Head of the Yarra Coxswains Award! Jo didn’t just outperform us local coxswains—she absolutely owned the river that day.

I’m thrilled to gain some insight from her on her rowing journey and what it took to conquer the Head of the Yarra this year!

Join us and an incredible panel of experts as we dive into a preview of the 2024 Head of the Yarra! There’s no better way to get the inside scoop than hearing from those who know this event inside and out. I’ve gathered a few of the best in the biz to chat all things HotY!

Proudly brought to you by Rowmann Repairs, CrewNerd, and Gym 24/7.Don’t miss it! #HeadoftheYarra #Rowing #RowmannRepairs #CrewNerd #Gym247 #RowingLife #2024

Today I take a refreshing break from our usual masters rowing conversations to chat with Sam Lincoln, a Richmond Rowing Club coxswain and recent recipient of Rowing Victoria's Coxswain of the Year award.

Sam brings a unique perspective to our discussion, straddling both worlds as he is not only a cox but taking on the oar and doing pretty well as a rower. What makes this conversation particularly fascinating is Sam's insightful take on the eternal debate of motivation versus discipline in rowing.

Sams drive and philosophical approach to the sport offers a window into the mindset of rowing's next generation. His perspective on what keeps him showing up day after day, whether in the cox seat or now with an oar in hand, gives us all an insight into what is possible if you stay focused.

Tune in for an engaging discussion that proves wisdom in rowing isn't always about the years you've put in, but the perspective you bring to the sport.

Join me in the coxswains seat for an intense 480m sprint at the 2024 Bendigo Grade and Masters Sprint Regatta!

Listen in as the Hawthorn Rowing Clubs Female Masters coxed quad (FMX4+) takes on this short, sharp course. The action starts at 3:40 on the video as we move into position, but don’t skip the build-up.

All the intensity of sprint racing from the best seat in the house!

Welcome back to another ripper "Casual Convo"! Today, we're joined by Mario Laing from the newly formed Lake Eildon Rowing Club. We dive into some Olympic talk - it might ruffle a few feathers, but hey, that's how I tend to roll, right?

The real highlight, though, is our discussion about the upcoming regatta hosted by Lake Eildon Rowing Club. Mario's got some big plans, and he's here to share all the details about the event happening on August 31st; The Grand Ponderosa Cup! - Click that link for more info!

Picture this: a 4.5km lap around some of Victoria's most stunning waterways. That's what Mario has lined up for this "come and try" day on the magnificent Lake Eildon Pondage. It's a chance for everyone to experience the thrill of rowing in this beautiful setting.

But that's just the beginning. Mario's vision for rowing at Lake Eildon goes far beyond this event, and it's closer to reality than you might think. So tune in as we explore what's in store for the future of rowing in this picturesque corner of country Victoria.

Trust me, you won't want to miss this chat. Mario's enthusiasm is contagious, and by the end of our conversation, you might just find yourself reaching for those oars and heading up to Eildon, its actually not that far away at all!

It's not often we get to chat with a real stalwart of rowing, but in my latest "Casual Convo", I had the incredible opportunity to chat with John B. Stewart, affectionately known as JB. With over half a century of experience in the sport, JB is a true icon in the rowing community. Our conversation delved into the intricacies of planning and structure, and JB shared his invaluable insights on what’s important when planning your season ahead.

Whether you're an amateur enthusiast or a seasoned pro, having a well-thought-out plan is essential. JB shared his thoughts for mapping out a season, highlighting the importance of setting realistic goals and maintaining consistency in training.

One of the most fascinating aspects of our chat was uncovering what keeps JB motivated after so many years in the sport. His passion for rowing is palpable, and he revealed that it’s the camaraderie, the continuous pursuit of personal satisfaction, and the sheer joy of being involved in the sport that fuel his dedication; all started from a young age when his father was a senior rower at Richmond Rowing Club.

JB’s insights into staying motivated are not only inspiring but also practical for anyone looking to sustain their enthusiasm over the long haul.

As a side note, JB's commitment to rowing is truly extraordinary. He travels over an hour and a half for every session, showcasing a level of dedication that is nothing short of inspiring. Additionally, he is a regular participant in my Zoom training sessions, which have been running twice a week for over three years. JB's unwavering commitment serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of dedication and consistency in achieving long-term success.

During our conversation, I found myself motivated by JB's passion and dedication. His insights into the sport and his approach to training have given me a fresh perspective and motivation on my own sporting journey. It’s clear that JB’s wisdom comes not only from experience but from a deep love for the sport.

Whether you're a seasoned rower or new to the sport, JB's wisdom is sure to inspire and motivate you to reach new heights in your rowing endeavors.

Nothing speaks more to the rowing community than the annual Winter Sculling Series in Melbourne; good banter, lots of fun (highlighted by Linda's favorite; round 5) some solid racing and some serious competition over numerous events including head racing. 2 km and 800m racing.

Today my I'm lucky enough to be joined by Linda Skidmore from Winter Sculling and Rowing Victoria for a "Casual Convo" about the winter sculling season ahead and all things rowing.

Linda has been around rowing a lifetime and is passionate (to say the least) about the winter sculling season.

Whilst most of you tap out over the cold (and dark) winter months a strong cohort of winter scullers are getting excited. and I'm trying to work out why ;-)

Support the show: [Buy me a coffee](https://www.buymeacoffee.com/TheCoxswainsJourney) ☕

Due to popular demand we, The Coxswains Journey, have decided to do another Live Show!

This time we covered the 2024 RV State Masters Rowing Championship Regatta.

Tune in to hear my co-host, John Perry from Hawthorn Rowing Club and the special guest Mario Laing from Lake Eildon Rowing Club Inc chat about next weeks RV State Masters Championship Regatta, the Lake Eildon Rowing Club, and Rowing in general!

As coxswains, we're often caught in a tug-of-war between the expectations and desires of our rowers, sometimes with limited insight into our role's intricacies. It's a common scenario: rowers offering advice without a full grasp of what it means to be a coxswain.

Well I thought it might be time to have a "Casual Convo" with a very experienced Coxswain to discuss this topic; Jennifer Pollock, from ⁠North Shore Rowing Club⁠ was all too happy to help out and I was fortunate enough to glean her take on this tricky question. Drawing from her wealth of experience, Jen described the expectations she holds for her crews, emphasising the importance of trust and mutual respect as her cornerstones. As Jen said, isn't often lost for words, but this question did stump her a little, but we certainly got through it.

I've had many conversations with Jen about coxing and shared experiences and this episode delves into the differences of our experiences and highlights our "wants" and "needs" from our crews. Jen refers to a lot of these thoughts as what she "expects" from her crews.

This is a ripper! We had a tough battle against Yarra Yarra and Mercantile. The Mercantile Crew were an A grade (meaning late 20-year-olds...) and we had a big handicap in our favour at the start. The game was to hold the charge off while keeping Yarra Yarra at bay.

We always have a great battle with Yarra Yarra, so this was going to be fun from the start. Whilst we didn't "get the bikies" I would say one of the most enjoyable races for a while.

Race start is at 16.30 on the clock, but it's always interesting listening into the leadup.