Shore 1st VIII vying for back-to-back national titles during Sydney International Rowing Regatta

THE Shore School’s flagship 1st VIII crew combines individual skill and solid teamwork to compete at a national level.

The Shore School's 1st VIII rowers, winners of the 2017 Head of the River. Picture: Adam Ward

THE Shore School’s 1st VIII aims to defend its national title during the Sydney International Rowing Regatta in Penrith.

The talented rowers’ strong camaraderie and dedication to their sport inspired their nomination in the Mosman Daily’s Local Sports Stars Awards.

The 1st VIII, Shore’s flagship crew, is in the Junior Sports Star Team category.

The rowers won the prestigious 120th Athletic Association of Great Public Schools of New South Wales Head of the River title last month.

The win earned Shore 11 victories in the past 15 annual regattas.

Rowing master Glenn Bates said the crew included three rowers from last year’s national schoolboy eight title win.

“It’s going to be a really good contest; they will be up against more traditional powerhouses as well: Melbourne’s Scotch College and Melbourne Grammar too,” he said.

“We’ve had a pretty good ongoing rivalry in the past few years with both those schools.

“For most it’s the highlight of the season and certainly something they look forward to doing.”

Mr Bates said the crew’s success combined teamwork and individual skill.

“The boys have been able to strike a good balance between being a very good combination as well as individually quite good rowers,” he said.

The Shore School's 1st VIII rowers. Picture: Adam Ward

“Any crew could have individually good oarsmen, but this combination of boys has worked quite well.”

Mr Bates said the hardworking team trained six sessions per week.

“The boys have been put through many gruelling hours of sculling to improve their individual technique in the boat,” he said.

“From there the crew was selected into particular seats where the arduous process of synchronising timing and power to produce the maximum boat speed was undertaken.”

Mr Bates said the rowers also displayed genuine sportsmanship.

“At the conclusion of races, the crew is the first to congratulate the other placegetters as one,” he said.

“At training, the crew has provided coaching for younger members of the shed and on the Friday before their final regatta the crew paid a visit to the Shore Prep School to talk with the boys about their journey.”

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