News
The Catch: April 2025
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Welcome to April's issue of the ANA News. Quite a bit has happened this month, with lots to come in May so stay tuned. This month
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NEW MEMBERS Welcome to the new members for April:
We hope you love our Club as much as we do! We have also had a number of members transition to Racing membership - welcome to Nora, Margit, Lucy and Thais. |
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UPDATES FROM THE COMMITTEE Major Review of Boats, Coaching, Squads and Membership
ANA has grown quickly in the last few years and we're feeling the growing pains in areas like membership, coaching, squads and boats. Things that were easy before are becoming more complex.
These areas are also deeply interconnected. It's not possible to simply fix one area without a substantial flow on impact to other areas.
So, the Committee have drafted an approach that makes changes in all of these areas.
It could resolve many of these growing pains but would require some biggish changes to how we operate, some of which would have an impact on the constitution, e.g.
Over the coming months we will be holding a series of town hall events to share the ideas with all members, gain feedback, fine tune and adjust the final approach.
The current intent is to make the changes next year at the AGM.
Please look out for the town hall announcements, attend, and have your say.
Cleanliness around the shed and proper care for items remains a continuing concern. Please remember that the Club is staffed by volunteers who are not here to clean up after members. Key concerns:
We are still looking for a Safety Officer - please contact Adam if you can assist. |
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SAFETY MATTERS As the winter weather starts to creep in, some important safety reminders:
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MASTERS REGATTA 3 Masters Pennant 3 was a great success for ANA, winning both the gold medal tally and the overall medals in stunning conditions at Champion Lakes. Cassandra and her amazing telephoto lens were on site to take some epic shots of rowers in action Wins to:
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MASTERS STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS Well done to all members competing in this event - it is amazing how many rowers come out of the woodworks who have not competed this season. It is also amazing how many former World Champions and Olympic rowers are still on the scene - so don't be disheartened by your results! The regatta was held on 3 May in pretty windy conditions. ANA had 45 members racing and finished the event second on the medal table with 7 wins, but winning the overall medal count with 21.5. Wins to:
Congrats to Sandy for her selection in the Interstate Eight for the Australian Masters Championships, This completes the 2025 Masters Season, on to the Head Races next! For those new to rowing, the Head Races are time trial events held over distances between 3km and 16km at various locations. ANA host the Guildford to Garratt event on Saturday 31 May and will need volunteers and spectators for this. |
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BUNBURY BIG BOAT REGATTA & EATON HEAD RACE The annual trek to Bunbury occurred on 26/27 April for the Bunbury Big Boat Sprint Regatta and the Eaton Head Race. A great weekend was had, with the Weather Gods being unexpectedly kind for a change. The Bunbury course is a short 500m, with a slight bend in the middle, making for some interesting challenges. ANA came away with four second places (Men's & Women's Masters Coxless Four, Women's C Grade Coxed Four and Mens D Grade Coxed Eight). Special congratulations to our Juniors - Isabella, Olive, Chloe, Marko and Lucas B for their role in these crews. Conditions for the 5km Head Race at Eaton were stunning, with wins to Banjo (Mens Open Single Scull), Womens Open Quad (Olive, Chloe, Isabella & Elsa) and Women's Masters Eight (Frances, Debbie, Nancy, Chloris, Sandy, Courtney, Jane, Nadja & Kay) |
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JUNIOR ROWERS Our Juniors Racing squad are starting their preparation for their All Schools racing season. For some this is their first experience with official races - keep training hard and the results will follow. Junior Dev Squad numbers and skills continue to improve. It's great to see the friendships and camaraderie developing between the rowers. As always the coaches would appreciate any assistance we can provide to the training sessions, either as a coach, tinny driver, cox or general help. Please contact Ingrid or Graham for further details. |
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DEVELOPMENT SQUADS The Junior and Senior Dev Squads are our key pathway for new rowers from Learn To Row, and are a critical step in furthering their skills and inclusion within the Club. With the recent influx of new rowers the capacity of the Dev Squad coaches is being stretched and they are seeking assistance from other club members in any way. It would be great if members could be available to sit in stroke seat (set the rhythm, assist the Dev Squad cox), or to be a crew member and provide on the go assistance. Please contact Dev Squad or Juniors Squad if you are able to assist - this will count towards your volunteer hours which can be updated HERE |
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BREAKING NEWS!!! Happy to announce that ANA has been given funding from Rowing WA's 'G'Rowing Grant' in order to purchase four Falcon 'Gig' coxed quad/four that will enable us to offer leisure rowing excursions at locations around WA, targeted to recreational rowing focused participants from all WA clubs. Rowing excursions offer new recreational rowing opportunities for those participants seeking fitness and social outcomes but who do not have the capacity or willingness to commit to a traditional competition model. Plenty of details and action to follow... ROWING RADIANCE PROGRAM ANA's first Radiance course has just finished, with 9 ladies having beginners training under the watchful eyes of Louisa. Entries have just opened for the next course, commencing 27 May 2025. This course is PERFECT for those who are new to exercise, or looking to recover their fitness. Further enquires email Michelle |
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MERCHANDISE We have a number of new members looking to buy black ANA hoodies or white longsleeved sun-safe undershirts. Please email Elissa if you are interested in buying one of these by 15 May - further details on costs can be provided once numbers are known. There are the following items in stock from previous orders:
UPCOMING EVENTS 17 May - Mettams Head Race - small boats 3km, big boats 4.5km. Volunteers for tinny driving required 19 May - Committee Meeting 29 May - 2025 Australian Masters Rowing Championships, Sydney 31 May - Guildford to Garrett Head Race - big boats and K4 kayaks 6km, Volunteers required 21 June - Bunnings Bayswater Sausage Sizzle |