MARIST COLLEGE CANBERRA

ROWING CLUB

Marist College Canberra Rowing Club
Since 2010, Marist College Canberra Rowing Club (MCCRC) has built a vibrant rowing
community on Lake Burley Griffin, fostering participation, personal growth, and competitive
excellence among boys in Years 6 to 12.

Our program develops teamwork, discipline, and resilience, offering pathways from Learn to
Row programs to national competition. Supported by passionate volunteers and families,
MCCRC has become one of the ACT’s most successful junior rowing programs.

What is rowing?

  • Rowing is a physically and mentally demanding sport that brings great rewards as rowers of all levels explore both their potential and personal limits through the sport.
  • It is an official Marist summer sport (September to March).

What are the benefits of rowing?

  • During the season, rowers develop an understanding of the need for a technical approach to the sport and an understanding of the value of teamwork, commitment and dedication to training, racing and the responsibilities of caring for equipment.
  • For many students the self-discipline required to master rowing flows into the daily organisation and commitment required for their academic pursuits and broader life.

What is Marist College Canberra Rowing Club?

  • Established in 2010
  • Founded on the generosity and commitment of enthusiastic parents and volunteers
  • Run by volunteers with the assistance of a Head Senior Coach and School Sport Coordinator under the Marist Head of Sport
  • Year 7-9 row with Lake Tuggeranong Rowing Club on Lake Tuggeranong
  • Year 10-12 row on Lake Burley Griffin out of the Marist Rowing Shed in Yarralumla, which is leased from Canberra Girls Grammar School.
  • Close associations with Lake

Our Approach

  • The Club’s approach is based on participation, extension and assistance.
  • It offers a range of opportunities for rowers to compete at different levels depending on their interest and capability.
  • Primarily a sculling club (each rower has two oars) in order to focus on learn to row and competing in local regattas, whilst still offering extension opportunities
  • Coxswains start from the end of year 6 and also have the opportunity to learn to row
  • Learn to row is primarily from the end of year 7 and 8.
  • Competition starts when ready from end of year 7 and 8

The Core Program – Participation and Appropriate Competition

  • Boys learn to row and train together before competing in local ACT regattas, with a focus towards attending the ACT Championships and ACT Head of the Lake, held on Lake Burley Griffin.
  • All junior rowers are expected to complete the foundational program before they can row in a regatta. This is to ensure they have the skills and fitness required for competition.
  • The end of the season culminates with the whole club travelling to the Sydney International Rowing Centre in Penrith to compete at the NSW Schoolboy Head of the River.

Rowing Experience

  • Boys with no rowing experience will be accepted into the Club at the end of years 6, 7 and 8.
  • If a rower in year 9 or above wishes to join the Club, due to limited coaching resources and issues of safety and appropriate progression, he will need to either:
    • Demonstrate previous rowing experience, or
    • Complete a learn to row course at a private club at their own expense

Safety – Swim Test

  • All rowers must pass a swim test annually at the commencement of each season and boys are not allowed to commence on-water training until they have completed their swim test.
  • All rowers and coxswains must demonstrate the ability to:
    • Swim 50 meters.
    • Tread water for three minutes.
    • Swim five meters underwater in rowing attire.
    • Undertake a capsize drill.

Safety – Sun Exposure

  • Crews and coaches are exposed to a high sun intensity and UV radiation.
  • Use of sunscreen and hats is compulsory for all sessions.
  • The Club offer a long sleeve UV protective sun shirt as part of the rowing uniform kit.
  • Sunglasses are also optional and highly advised.

Safety – Hydration

  • Rowers must bring a plastic water bottle to every session.
  • For on water sessions these should have a lid (covering the mouthpiece) to prevent contamination from dirt and lake water and be clearly labelled with the rower’s name.
    • Please note, bottles must be plastic to avoid damage to boat hulls.

Safety – Weather

  • Rowers will train in most weather conditions: wind, low temperatures, high temperatures, humidity and rain.
  • It is the extreme of these conditions or the combination that will cause cancellation or relocation indoors. (especially storms)
  • Training is rarely cancelled due to inclement weather as there are always indoor training options.

Rower Commitment and Behaviour

  • Rowers and their parents/guardians should endeavour to ensure other sports or extracurricular activities do not conflict with rowing commitments during the rowing season as this risks the entire crew being unable to train or race.
  • This includes clashes with winter sport pre-season. MCC Sports Policy states:
    • Commitment to summer sports (including rowing) has priority over pre-season training to winter sport
    • Winter sport selection will not be affected by honouring commitment to summer sport
    • Summer sport selection will not be affected by honouring commitment to winter sport
  • It is also expected that boys must adhere to:
    • MCC Code of Conduct
    • MCCRC rules including Boat Shed Rules and Care of equipment

Uniforms

  • All rowers and coxswains are required to wear the approved Club uniform at regattas.
  • For safety reasons rowers are required to wear rowing attire at trainings.
  • Rowing uniform: MCCRC
    • Zootie MCCRC
    • Long sleeve rash shirt.
    • MCCRC cap or bucket hat.
  • Other essentials:
    • Water bottle (plastic)
    • Sports shoes for running in warm ups and training.
    • Marist white PE socks.
    • Sunglasses (optional).
    • Slides/Crocs (optional for getting in and out of boats on the pontoons).
    • MCCRC long sleeve rugby jumper or Marist PE jacket.

Rowing ACT Regattas

  • During the regatta season ACT clubs and schools host various regattas.
  • Regattas usually start at 7 am and often finish early to mid-afternoon.
  • Crews will have different start times and locations depending on their race times and boat allocation. Sometime boys need to attend the entire event.
  • The “Marist Rowing Spreadsheet” is developed for each regatta with a comprehensive list of important information for rowers, officials and parents.
  • Typically, the Club will conduct a presentation for ribbon winners at the conclusion of each regatta.
  • Further information on ACT regattas: https://rowingmanager.com/act/

ACT Head of the Lake and ACT Junior Championships Regatta

  • Traditionally held over a double headed weekend.
  • This is usually the culmination of the school regatta season in the ACT.
  • This is a target regatta for our crews with a higher standard than club regattas due to visiting schools.

NSW Schoolboy Head of the River Regatta

  • The students will have the opportunity to compete in the NSW Schoolboy Head of the River regatta at the Sydney International Regatta Centre in Penrith.
  • Families are responsible for their own transport and accommodation.
  • There are extra expenses to compete

Extension Opportunities

  • Some senior rowers with the support of their families may wish to trial to train and then compete at a higher level of competition beyond the core program offered by MCCRC.
  • This higher level of training is required for competition at interstate regattas, including the NSW Championships at SIRC Penrith or Australian National Championships.
    • Additional training sessions
    • Additional regattas – interstate and possibly national
  • It should be noted extension opportunities are not part of the core program. Families accept additional responsibilities and commitments including extra trainings, extra regattas and extra expenses.

Assisting Further Opportunities

  • MCCRC encourages all rowers to do their best to fulfil their potential. If they wish, boys are encouraged to have dual junior membership of other ACT rowing clubs and to try out for representative crews. We support any rower invited to participate in a high-performance program whilst being a member of MCCRC.
    • Dual club junior membership
    • Representative crew selection
    • High-performance program invitation

Friendship, Community, Shaping Young Men

  • Sport is a vital part of Marist life
  • Upon entering the College, it is reported at interview, most new boys say they are looking forward to sport with friends most of all
  • The fellowship between Marist boys and volunteering parents from all walks of life, has a profound influence on shaping these young boys and the men they become
  • Thriving volunteer organisations are also based on friendship. We encourage all Marist parents, carers, siblings and past rowers to: foster friendships, become part of our fellowship and consider volunteering for:
    • Coaching
    • Tinnie driver
    • On land fitness
    • Manager
    • Fund raising
    • Socials
    • Regatta day official
    • Catering
    • Equipment maintenance and repairs
    • Committee member

2024/2025 season highlights:

  • Australian National Rowing Championships – 1 Gold, 1 Bronze
  • ACT Junior Championships – 6 Gold, 4 Silver, 2 Bronze
  • ACT Head of the Lake – 6 Gold, 1 Silver, 4 Bronze
  • NSW Championships – 1 Silver, 1 Bronze
  • NSW Schoolboy Head of the River – 2 Silver, 1 Bronze
  • Record-breaking Schoolboys Quad performance