SA Champs spanned Friday, Saturday and Sunday (4th to the 6th of March). Ideal conditions saw some exceptional racing in which a few records fell. Including heats, semi’s and finals, races went off every 6minutes all weekend. A big thank you must go to the officials and organizing committee that made this event happen. It is astounding to see how the sport has grown and hope that we see many of these juniors rowing in the senior clubs soon.
FRIDAY: (Pairs and Singles)
On the Friday we picked up our 1st medal of the weekend in the U16 pair. Botes and Barclay have had a good season, somewhat low on raw horsepower; they have brought home many medals this season in our new boat ARES. They have showed good boatmanship and been very reliable in their delivery of medals throughout the season, including buffalo regatta.
Lantieri placed 5th and Viadana 6th in the u14 singles event. Both of these boys have come on in leaps and bounds - and we all know that this gives us a lot of promise moving forward. Lantieri in particular, has not been rowing long at all and has surprised a lot of his more experienced counterparts.
In the u15 sculls young Daniel Kelly was 7th in his semi-final after placing 2nd in his heat. There were 8 heats in this event, meaning there were 64 entries for this title. Kelly is a gutsy racer and we congratulate him on a solid season.
In the open sculls, our junior open (u17) Francois McDonough won his heat, but felt the pace a little as he placed 7th in the semi. Hopefully this is a challenge for him and we can place next year in this event. It has been a few years since we had a competitive 1st sculler.
SATURDAY:
Saturday brought with it prospects of a few medals. The first four however had a disappointing day, rowing 3rd in the heat with an injury problem (cramp) which pushed them out of the final by a second. They won the B final convincingly with a good time and wishing that they could have shown their mettle in the A final. Lesson to us all; keep hydrated and keep the electrolytes up… Your best chance of avoiding this problem. That being said, there is no question that the boys gave it their all. Luckily, they didn’t have to empty the tank to win the B final, saving some legs for the eight on Sunday.
The 2nd four placed 5th in the B final, a good effort from them too, well done.
Then the highlight of the regatta, our u14’s won the one and only Gold of the regatta, in new record time. Having to work from a bout ½ a length down in the octuple, they brought some good speed towards the line which proved too hot for others to match. It has been an outstanding season for them and we congratulate them on a brilliant result! To top it off, the B oct won the B final, also rowing very well. Well dome to Attie and Lincoln, their dedicated coaches, for a fantastic season! Our U14 double was also 6th overall – also a commendable result for them.
Amidst many B final results, the u15 quad were disappointed with 8th in the “A” final and had to pick up the pieces and positively focus their attention on the oct (Sunday). The u16 eight placed a commendable 4th, although their expectation was far higher looking at their faces after the race… This crew has displayed great guts – having lost two of their mates to the 1st eight this season, the final line up actually had 4 novices (boys that started rowing on September camp) – thus, in my eyes, an incredible result. Well done Trevor and to the boys on turning this crew around. They started the season 45seconds of the pace and ended within 13 seconds of the exceptional Bennies combo.
SUNDAY:
For the 2nd time, the 1st team had a disappointing day. They finished 7th in a race where it was started before they were ready. Nick Tickle’s hand was up and the crew was backing and getting straightened up in the light crosswind. Very costly for them, as they had to fight extremely hard to get back on terms by the 1200m. They had a late rattle from about 600m to go, but the grind had been too much - and they ran out of legs in the final burst. The gutted crew, raced with a huge amount of commitment. It is a shame their result doesn’t do this justice. That’s the way it goes sometimes, no excuses, they say… They know that they gave it their all and that is all we can ask for. Hopefully most of them will continue into university rowing and have another crack at some races like that... That being said, it was an incredible final and there was some cracking racing this season. Well done to Bennies who regained the title of 1st eight champions.
The u14’s once again brought home the metal in the form of silver in the quad. Another great row by them, hoping to claim Gold I’m sure… Even number finishes are never sought after in a final! The nice thing is that we finished 2nd, 5th and 8th in this final: The only club to have 3 finalist combinations. Well done again, we owe many points to our youngsters this year.
The 2nd eight were 6th . Some boys in this group have worked hard in the last few weeks of the season. Well done to them on their improvement.
The u15 oct had a cracking final pulling a bronze in a classy event. The St. Johns winners rowed 3 10. Bearing in mind the u16 eights record over a 1000m which stood since abut 1987 was 305. Our oct was in at 3,17 in neutral conditions. They cranked out a good race. In the double, we came home with 8th position.
The last medal of the regatta came from the u16 four which had an outstanding row – their best in the 4 this season, no doubt.
All in all a good regatta and some definite promise. King Edwards continues to move forward, despite a lower medal count this year.
Friday, March 11, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
River Vaal Regatta 5th and 6th February 2011
It was a good weekend for the club in general. The prestigious regatta had to be held at Roodeplaat due to the recent flooding of the Vaal River.
Most impressive were the juniors, who claimed 1st in the u14 oct and quad and the u15's, who showed good speed claiming bronze in the octuple. Great to see our junior coaches getting some of the basics right early on - credit must go to them.
In u16 the eight also put on a fine display, once again just off bennies that are unbeaten this season so far. Disappointed with the result, they are very motivated and trying every day to close the gap by March.
In the open group, 2nd eight and 1st eight were knocked out in the semi final. The boys are getting stuck in to the final 3 weeks of preparation so as to bring their very best to SA Champs on the 4th, 5th and 6th of March.
Overall, a very good day for the club… Well done, we are moving in the right direction. 3 weeks to go!
Most impressive were the juniors, who claimed 1st in the u14 oct and quad and the u15's, who showed good speed claiming bronze in the octuple. Great to see our junior coaches getting some of the basics right early on - credit must go to them.
In u16 the eight also put on a fine display, once again just off bennies that are unbeaten this season so far. Disappointed with the result, they are very motivated and trying every day to close the gap by March.
In the open group, 2nd eight and 1st eight were knocked out in the semi final. The boys are getting stuck in to the final 3 weeks of preparation so as to bring their very best to SA Champs on the 4th, 5th and 6th of March.
Overall, a very good day for the club… Well done, we are moving in the right direction. 3 weeks to go!
Friday, February 4, 2011
VLC SPRINTS 2011
Last weekend saw the rowing club competing at the Victoria Lake University of Johannesburg regatta. All age groups were extremely competitive and the club placed in almost every event. Specific notable results were:
First Four – First
First Quad - Second
Under 16 8 – First
Under 16 Four - Second
Under 15 Octuple – Third
Under 15 Quad - Third
Under 14 Octuple – First
Under 14 Quad – Third
The club won the overall boys school trophy.
First Four – First
First Quad - Second
Under 16 8 – First
Under 16 Four - Second
Under 15 Octuple – Third
Under 15 Quad - Third
Under 14 Octuple – First
Under 14 Quad – Third
The club won the overall boys school trophy.
Friday, January 28, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
The Blades
www.theblades.co.za
THE BLADES is an exclusive boutique hotel situated on a 10 hectre expanse of untamed Bushveld. Built on the banks of the Roodeplaat dam, The Blades offers a unique combination of indigenous vegetation, landscaping and water-front luxury.
Roodeplaat Dam and the surrounding Dinokeng Tourism region provides a myriad of activities, from game viewing and bird watching to a wide range of water sports including rowing, canoeing and fishing. Bird watchers are treated to some 230 different species of indigenous birds.
Tours and day-trips can be arranged to visit near-by attractions. The world-famous Cullinan diamond mine is a mere 25min drive away.
The owners of THE BLADES are all members of the Old Edwardian Boat Club. After years of passionate planning it has been their vision to create a waterfront haven. This passion and personal commitment is palpable at THE BLADES. When we welcome you at THE BLADES we do so with unrivalled dedication and genuine hospitality.
The hotel itself comprises 4 Exclusive Double Suites, each with their own private balcony overlooking the water, as well as 2 Family Suites and 4 Double Suites situated on the banks of our own private dam. A further 24 double rooms and 8 family units are planned for the future. All suites are free standing to ensure tranquil privacy. Suites are decorated in elegant, earth tones with splashes of colour in keeping with the regatta feel. A central fireplace and free-standing bath in the Exclusive Suites create an atmosphere of warmth and romance.
The interiors subtly reflect the sophisticated rowing theme. Cool linen couches in the clubhouse offer the perfect summer retreat to sample our cocktail menu. Sundowners can be enjoyed on the timber deck with magnificent views of the dam and surrounds.
At THE BLADES we are able to accommodate all your Conferencing needs, with both a smaller, intimate venue as well as a much larger, thatched retreat, offering breathtaking views. Special day-time and evening events, team building, conferences and weddings may be held in the Conference Centre or on the rolling lawns, a stone’s throw away from the water.
THE BLADES Restaurant prides itself in serving unpretentious, yet sophisticated cuisine. Our menu offers a choice of carefully selected signature dishes. See our Dining link for more information.
THE BLADES is conveniently situated just 20 minutes from Pretoria and OR Thambo International and 45 minutes from Johannesburg, making it an accessible destination to both local and international guests.
THE BLADES is an exclusive boutique hotel situated on a 10 hectre expanse of untamed Bushveld. Built on the banks of the Roodeplaat dam, The Blades offers a unique combination of indigenous vegetation, landscaping and water-front luxury.
Roodeplaat Dam and the surrounding Dinokeng Tourism region provides a myriad of activities, from game viewing and bird watching to a wide range of water sports including rowing, canoeing and fishing. Bird watchers are treated to some 230 different species of indigenous birds.
Tours and day-trips can be arranged to visit near-by attractions. The world-famous Cullinan diamond mine is a mere 25min drive away.
The owners of THE BLADES are all members of the Old Edwardian Boat Club. After years of passionate planning it has been their vision to create a waterfront haven. This passion and personal commitment is palpable at THE BLADES. When we welcome you at THE BLADES we do so with unrivalled dedication and genuine hospitality.
The hotel itself comprises 4 Exclusive Double Suites, each with their own private balcony overlooking the water, as well as 2 Family Suites and 4 Double Suites situated on the banks of our own private dam. A further 24 double rooms and 8 family units are planned for the future. All suites are free standing to ensure tranquil privacy. Suites are decorated in elegant, earth tones with splashes of colour in keeping with the regatta feel. A central fireplace and free-standing bath in the Exclusive Suites create an atmosphere of warmth and romance.
The interiors subtly reflect the sophisticated rowing theme. Cool linen couches in the clubhouse offer the perfect summer retreat to sample our cocktail menu. Sundowners can be enjoyed on the timber deck with magnificent views of the dam and surrounds.
At THE BLADES we are able to accommodate all your Conferencing needs, with both a smaller, intimate venue as well as a much larger, thatched retreat, offering breathtaking views. Special day-time and evening events, team building, conferences and weddings may be held in the Conference Centre or on the rolling lawns, a stone’s throw away from the water.
THE BLADES Restaurant prides itself in serving unpretentious, yet sophisticated cuisine. Our menu offers a choice of carefully selected signature dishes. See our Dining link for more information.
THE BLADES is conveniently situated just 20 minutes from Pretoria and OR Thambo International and 45 minutes from Johannesburg, making it an accessible destination to both local and international guests.
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Appeal for photo's
This is an appeal to parents and supporters for photographs. If you have any photo's of rowing we would like to post them on the net (with you permission of course) so that people can have easy access to good photo's of their sons. The KES rowing albums are available on the blog as slideshow's at present.
Please put all photo's onto a CD and hand to Andrew Grant or Trevor Dedlow so that we can add to this mass of KES rowing photo's...
Thank you
Please put all photo's onto a CD and hand to Andrew Grant or Trevor Dedlow so that we can add to this mass of KES rowing photo's...
Thank you
St. Andrews Regatta (u14 and u15) on the 15th January 2011
Our promising u14 age group continued with their winning streak from last year. The octopul managed 1st place, 20 seconds ahead of the field. Mitchell and Westphal were 1st and 2nd in their C sculls heats respectively. Viadana was 7th in A singles and our “A” double was 4th. The “C” quads also showed good improvement, coming in 1st and 3rd respectively.
In the u15 age group we saw huge improvement since last year in this first regatta. It is great to see the work that has gone in during camp in this group. The oct was 2nd to St. Johns, which is a big improvement from Gauteng Champs. Hopefully we can see further progress this term which will place the crew within striking distance of gold at champs.
We were also the only school to have two octopuls in this race, which is an indication of the depth in this age group.
Other notable achievements were a win in the C doubles, a 4th place for McCann and 12th for Burke the B single’s event. Dos Santos was 11th and Kelly 15th in the A single, also some commendable results from them. In the premier A quads event, we ended up 4th out of 12.
The Mondeor Senior regatta for u16 and open groups takes place at Roodeplaat next weekend and we wish the u15 boys good luck on their selection camp. The following weekend (29th Jan) we will be racing at VLC and the week thereafter, RVR which unfortunately will be at Roodeplaat due to the recent flooding of the Vaal.
In the u15 age group we saw huge improvement since last year in this first regatta. It is great to see the work that has gone in during camp in this group. The oct was 2nd to St. Johns, which is a big improvement from Gauteng Champs. Hopefully we can see further progress this term which will place the crew within striking distance of gold at champs.
We were also the only school to have two octopuls in this race, which is an indication of the depth in this age group.
Other notable achievements were a win in the C doubles, a 4th place for McCann and 12th for Burke the B single’s event. Dos Santos was 11th and Kelly 15th in the A single, also some commendable results from them. In the premier A quads event, we ended up 4th out of 12.
The Mondeor Senior regatta for u16 and open groups takes place at Roodeplaat next weekend and we wish the u15 boys good luck on their selection camp. The following weekend (29th Jan) we will be racing at VLC and the week thereafter, RVR which unfortunately will be at Roodeplaat due to the recent flooding of the Vaal.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
