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.

The post From the Lead-Ups to the Heads – Victorian School Rowing Breakdown appeared first on The Coxswains Journey.

Episode 2: Reading the River — The Course, Conditions & Steering

The Head of the Yarra course is unlike any other in Australia — 8 kilometres of winding bends, bridges, and heavy river traffic. In this episode, we take a deep dive into the course itself and what it takes to steer it well.

Again, join me and Jennifer Pollock from ⁠⁠Toowong Rowing Club⁠⁠, where in this episode we cover:

• The major bends and landmarks — and where races are often won or lost
• Steering strategies: training line vs. race line, and overtaking etiquette
• Environmental factors such as wind, current, and narrow sections
• Practical tips for crews who can’t train on the Yarra beforehand

Whether you’re racing HotY for the first time or returning to it again, this episode will help you visualise the course and prepare for the unique challenges of Melbourne’s iconic river race.

Also be sure to check out my Podcast episode: Head of the Yarra – The Coxswains Race.

The post Head of the Yarra: Inside the Coxswain’s Mind! – Ep 2 appeared first on The Coxswains Journey.

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!

The post Head of the Schoolgirls – 2025 Regatta PREview! Live show appeared first on The Coxswains Journey.

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.

The post Regatta Review – 2025 RV Junior & Inter Schoolgirls State Championships and the Australian Henley Regattas appeared first on The Coxswains Journey.

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.

The post Regatta Review – 2025 Nagambie Regatta (and Junior/ Inters states preview) appeared first on The Coxswains Journey.

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!

The post Head of the Yarra 2024 – Winning Coxswain! appeared first on The Coxswains Journey.

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.

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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!

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