This is a huge episode bringing together our highly experienced and knowledgeable panel to cover the absolute peak of the Victorian rowing calendar. I’m joined, as always, by the doyen himself Alan Crute from ⁠Rowing Regatta Form Guides and Chat⁠, alongside Campbell Roberts from ⁠Campbell’s APS Rowing Review⁠, and Kat Dunell, rowing guru and passionate parent, to break down all the key moments from a massive weekend of racing.

We dive into the Victorian Head of the Schoolgirls Regatta in Geelong and the Scotch Mercantile Regatta in Nagambie, unpacking performances, emerging trends, and the crews that really stood out—there were plenty.

From there, we turn our attention to what’s next: a preview of this weekend’s APS Heads of the River at Nagambie (boys and girls) and how it’s shaping up, before casting an eye further ahead to the Australian Rowing Championships at Lake Barrington, starting next Monday.

Plenty of insight, a few opinions (as always), and the usual light-hearted chat—this one covers a lot of ground and is well worth the listen if you’re following the 2025–2026 Victorian school rowing season.

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In this episode, I’m joined again by Alan Crute from ⁠Rowing Regatta Form Guides and Chat⁠, along with expert rowing parent Kat Dunel, to preview the upcoming 2026 Victorian Head of the Schoolgirls’ Regatta taking place this weekend.

Around 2100 athletes will take to the Barwon River in Geelong for the biggest event on the Australian schoolgirl rowing calendar. We run through the Seniors, Inters and Juniors, breaking down the key crews and storylines to keep an eye out for.

Alan also gives us his tips for who might take home the wins. Over the past few seasons, he’s had a very high success rate picking the winners — although this year he might have a tougher job ahead of him with several divisions looking extremely tight.

If you’re heading down for the regatta, be sure to have a listen on the drive down the highway to Geelong this week and get across the crews to watch before racing begins.

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Time has flown, maybe not for the kids on the ergo’s and parents on early morning duties, but it certainly has for the rest of the spectators.

As the Victorian school rowing season builds toward its crescendo, I chat with two of the most knowledgeable voices in the space for a comprehensive preview of the championship regattas ahead and what to expect.

Alan Crute from ⁠Rowing Regatta Form Guides and Chat ⁠breaks down the schoolgirls’ season and gives his insights heading into the Victorian Heads of the Schoolgirls Regatta. Who’s peaking at the right time? Which crews are building momentum? And where could the surprises come from?

On the boys’ side, Campbell Roberts from Campbells APS Rowing Reviews unpacks the APS season amongst the main boats as we approach the Victorian Heads of the River. We discuss form, standout performances, what we will see from the main contenders, and any surprises that may occur.

If you’re following Victorian school rowing season, this episode is your essential guide to the crews, contenders, and storylines that will define the 2024 Heads.

Be sure to tune in.

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In this live show, we assembled an expert panel to break down everything you need to know across all levels of the sport — from masters and school rowing to club competition.

Joining us are some of the most knowledgeable voices in the rowing community:

Alan Crute – The man behind Rowing Regatta Form Guides and Chat, bringing his sharp insights and deep understanding of the competitive schoolgirls rowing landscape.

Campbell Roberts – Creator of Campbell’s APS Rowing Review, with the inside scoop on the schoolboys’ scene.

John Perry – A seasoned campaigner and Yarra Yarra Rowing Club member, offering a wealth of experience in the masters scene.

And of course, our resident expert Binky Kfouri, back again to share his signature take on what’s been happening in club and elite-level rowing.

Whether you’re an athlete, coach, parent, or just a passionate fan of the sport, this is your go-to episode to get prepped for the season ahead.

Hit play, get informed, and let the rowing chat begin!

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The Australian Rowing Championships are in full swing, and you won’t want to miss our exclusive behind-the-scenes preview!

Special guests:- Campbell from “Campbell’s APS Rowing Report” will dish out all the latest gossip ahead of the Finals for the schoolboys races from Barrington, Tasmania.

And of course, Alan Crute from “Rowing Regatta Form Guides and Chat” joins as our regular panelist to preview the exciting schoolgirls’ regatta action.

The post Inside the 2025 ARC – Exclusive Schools Finals Preview with Rowing Insiders appeared first on The Coxswains Journey.

The season has flown by, and after months of early mornings, relentless training, and countless hours on the water, it all came to a dramatic conclusion this past weekend at the 2025 Head of the Schoolgirls Regatta on the mighty Barwon River in Geelong.

It seems like only yesterday that athletes—and their dedicated parents—were setting alarms at ungodly hours to drag themselves out of bed for pre-season workouts, rowing sessions, and intensive training camps. From chilly dawn rows to grueling fitness drills, every stroke and every sacrifice led to this moment. Along the way, crews crisscrossed Victoria, traveling to rivers and lakes far and wide, refining their technique, building endurance, and forging the bonds that define this sport.

And then, finally, race day arrived. The banks of the Barwon were packed with supporters, the air buzzing with excitement, nerves, and the occasional desperate search for coffee. Crews lined up, hearts pounding, ready to lay it all on the line in one final test of speed, skill, and sheer determination.

What a regatta it was—full of surprises, incredible results, and, of course, a few heartbreaks. But that’s the beauty of sport!

In this episode, tune in as Alan (⁠Rowing Regatta Form Guides and Chat⁠), Jo, and I break down all the action, from thrilling finishes to hard-fought battles, as well as the lighter moments from the banks of the Barwon. Whether you were there cheering or watching from afar, we’ve got the full rundown of racing and frivolity from one of the biggest events on the schoolgirls’ rowing calendar!

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The Big Dance is Here!

It’s that time of year again—the 2025 Victorian Head of the Schoolgirls Regatta is upon us! The Barwon River is set to host thousands of rowers, coaches and parents, all coming together for a massive weekend of racing and excitement.

Join myslef, Alan Crute from ⁠Rowing Regatta Form Guides and Chat⁠, and Jo Hayman-McNally as we break down everything you need to know about HOSG. We’ll talk racing, rivalries, and much more.

We’re also joined by the master of boat repairs, Rob Manning from ⁠RowMann Repairs⁠, and the voice of rowing himself, Richard Dorrstein, who shares his expert insights on what to expect as crews take on the mighty Barwon.

Whether you’re a rower, a coach, or just here for the Champers and gossip, this is the episode for you. Tune in, get prepped, and we’ll see you at the river!

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The final hit-out before “The Big Dance” was on the weekend and in just under two weeks, the 2025 Victorian Head of the Schoolgirls Regatta will take center stage, and the excitement is building.

This week, Alan from ⁠Rowing Regatta Form Guides and Chat⁠, Jo Hayman-McNally, and I break down all the action from Saturday’s racing at Nagambie for the 2025 RV State Championships. With State Champions crowned and a few unexpected results shaking things up, the competition is tighter than ever. Even Alan—rarely one to hedge his bets—admits that predicting this season’s winners in numerous classes and divisions will be no easy task. And let’s be honest, that just makes it even more exciting!

So, who’s looking strong? Who threw a curveball? And what does it all mean for the biggest regatta of the season?

Join our last Regatta Review for the season, remember to be tuning in for the 2025 HoSG LIVE preview show on Tuesday 11th March, 2025 on ⁠Facebook⁠!

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It was a massive weekend on Victorian waterways, with two of the biggest events on the rowing calendar: the 2025 RV Junior & Inter-Schoolgirls State Championships and the iconic 2025 Australian Henley Regatta.

Join Alan Crute from Rowing Regatta Form Guides and Chat, myself, and Jo Hayman-McNally as we break down all the action from the banks of the Barwon River in Geelong and the Yarra River in Melbourne. We discuss standout performances, the impact of extreme heat in Geelong that led to the cancellation of many Inter-Schoolgirls finals, and the controversy that stirred up debate at Henley.

Whether you were there or missed the racing, this episode has all the insights and behind-the-scenes stories from a thrilling weekend of rowing.

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In this episode of Regatta Review, Alan from Rowing Regatta Form Guides and Chat, Jo Hayman-Mcnally, and myself take a deep dive into the 2025 Nagambie Regatta, where challenging conditions put all to the test (the usual wind came in…), leading to a mix of results.

We also look ahead to the 2025 Rowing Victoria Junior and Inters State Championships, discussing key contenders and what to expect from this highly exciting event.

Before we get into the racing, we take a moment to acknowledge the heartbreaking events at the Melbourne Grammar rowing sheds, which led to the tragic loss of a talented young athlete. Our thoughts are with Ed’s family, friends, and the rowing community. Vale, Ed.

Tune in for all the race insights.

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