2015 NSW Indoor Rowing Championships

The NSW Indoor Rowing Championships were held at Drummoyne Rowing Club, Sydney on 27 June, 2015.

With over 50 competitors, aged from 13 to 79 years, including some of the legends of the sport of Indoor Rowing, Olympians, Scullers and Athletes with a disability, all met, all smiled and  experienced the pain of the heavy legs, heavy arms and the squinting eyes as the  mind squeezed that last drop of energy when you thought you didn’t have any  left…and then some backed up for more and a relay!

Tony Blower, CEO of Rowing NSW, openend the Championships by reading out encouraging words to participants from Australian and World Champion sculler Kim Crowe. Then it was on with ROW!

David Williams from Brisbane, fresh from his Queensland Championships win backed up a week later smashing a second off his Queensland 2k time and achieving a 6:15.7. Hard on David’s heels was Clayton Clews in 6:19. Fastest Female 2k Athlete was Sydney Olympics Quad rower Kerry Knowler in 7:29.4.

The event was supported well by Rowing schools and clubs, Nepean, MLC and UTS as well as NSW Police and Fire. Muscling up over 500m were imposing athletes Conor Clark (UTS) and Christian Miranda. Conor just muscled ahead of Christian by half a second pulling a 1:19.1.

The crowd was enthralled by the tenacity and superb technique demonstrated by the juniors. It was great to see ACT Para Olympic Gold medallist Cyclist Lindy Hou tackle all events along with many others participating in the 500m, 4 min, 2k and relay. A badge of honour amongst Indoor Rowers, “Indoor Rowing Street Cred”.

Highlight of the meet was six teams battling out in the mixed, 4x500m relay. This was well won by a powerful unit from Centennial Heath Club who smashed over the line in 6:31. The frenetic sight of calamitous un-coordinated relay changeovers was hilarious…a truly funniest home video opportunity!

Next Years’ NSW State Champs is penned in for Saturday 10th September, 2016.