10/08/2026
//// Winter Series: Sculler’s Head of the Barwon Results //////
Hey Winter Scullers,
85 keen and capable scullers took to the Barwon on Saturday for a beautiful day on the river. There were smiles a ‘plenty but accompanied by no dearth of puffing and panting, evidence of the determination at play. And determination there was, evidenced by our prognostics winners:
Joseph Di**le won the MA1X single with a sparkling 17:46 - the best time of the day. Maggie Foley took out the WA1X with the fastest women’s time of 18:54. A great effort.
The best efforts of all, recognised by receiving the Don Bridges Platters are :
Joan Sykes for Best Boats, with a prognostic of 97.9% a world class result.
Eva Jeffers for Tub Boats with a prognostic of 72.9%.
Fantastic effort form both ladies. when we remember that the prognostic speed is actually for racing boats.
The other prognostics winners in their categories were:
Sculler Prognostic Class Elapsed Time % of Prognostic
Di**le, Joseph MA1x 17:46 82.26%
Joyce, Ned MB1X 17:52 84.29%
Trott, James MSCH1X 19:18 83.16%
Coulson, Henry JM1X 18:45 80.97%
Blersch, Lucy JW1x 21:06 80.24%
Inglis, Nicholas M53 18:30 88.48%
oconnor smith, shane M56 18:56 87.81%
Antonie, Peter M68 18:55 95.22%
Rees, Geoff M71 19:58 92.84%
Foley, Maggie WA1X 18:54 84.79%
Robe, Sophie WB1X 20:21 79.77%
Whitehouse, Meyah FSCH1X 22:46 78.32%
Wilde, Fi W49 19:55 91.36%
Milne, Fiona W54 21:07 87.80%
Cotter, Wendy W64 21:39 90.83%
Sykes, Joan W76 23:05 97.98%
Jeffers, Eva FSCH1X 24:28 72.88%
Full results are now posted on our Winter Sculling spreadsheet here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dyL1tF_yPnQyLD4IeS_8AOvRgmJH_l0gJbf9sm9rWvs/edit?usp=drive_link
Sculler’s Head of the Yarra
A reminder – I will need entries for the Shot Yarra tomorrow (Tuesday) evening.
This is the BIG one – 8km for Hawthorn RC to MUBC. Don’t miss your chance – Book now on https://www.trybooking.com/DMENC
And finally, there is quite a team behind the scenes, so on behalf of the participants let me thank our volunteers: Andrew, Kate, Carol, Sandy, Nik, Ians (Farran and Bridgeland), Robs (Heath and E) Fletch (the one and only!) Don, Alan, Sir Richard, Chris, Brian and Alan.
And on behalf of the volunteers, let me thank the athletes for rowing with honour! ‘Twas great fun, and with no blood and no tears – That is what success looks like!
See you next winter!
07/08/2026
//// Winter Series: Sculler’s Head of the Barwon – The Draw //////
Hey Winter Scullers,
The Draw is up for the Sculler’s Head of the Barwon. 90 competitors are expected to enjoy a most pleasant day on the Barwon.
The link to the spreadsheet is different to the regular season and can befound here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1fOadZFmxhpWuqvYyGQ6RsU74UOIG6xcbc9GcFvpDe_s/edit?usp=drive_link
For those competing the boat allocation are as follows:
Alice Joyce Sarah P
James Trott David U
Elise Stevens Dick G
Lizzie T Geoff B
Charles Andrews Jenny H
Henry Coulson Leisa
Tim Spiteri Sue C
Ant Heath Geoff H
God Speed Corio Bay!
See you tomorrow.
2026 Scullers' Head of Barwon Workbook
02/08/2026
//// Winter Series: Sculler’s Head of the Barwon – Enter Now //////
Hey Winter Scullers,
Yesterday the Sculler’s Head of the Maribyrnong enjoyed a fantastic day for sculling and the Geelong team represented us well. In a field of over 80 scullers, Joseph was the fastest boy and Maggie the fastest girl! It must be the encouragement and support they have received on the Barwon!
So, now is your chance to be a part of The Sculler’s Head of the Barwon. Entries are open and you are encouraged to join us for a pleasant paddle down 4.5km of the Barwon this coming Saturday 8th of August. Registration at 8:30am, briefing at 9:00am then paddle up to Queen’s Park for the start a bit before 10:00am. Presentations back at Corio Bay boathouse with coffee and toasties after the race.
Trybooking is open so enter now please. https://www.trybooking.com/DMENC
See you Saturday!
Barwon Winter Sculling 2026
The event runs over 8 consecutive Sundays. AND then the 3 following Saturdays for the Head Races. There are 2 classes : racing single sculls and...
28/07/2026
//// Winter Series Race 6 //////
What a grand way to conclude the series. Very fast conditions with 12 under 6 minutes – including our fastest lady, Maggie! At the pointy end Max set a new fastest time for this series at 5:22 and Joseph met his own KPI with another day under 5:30 – that makes 4 in a row for him! Jim was our fastest Tub at 6:42. Great work team!
Of course, our heat winners went quite quickly too – the most outstanding being Jen Bourke who improved on her time by almost a minute!!!! While not with as big an improvement but just as impressive are or other heat winners; Violetta, Zeph, Max, Ella Teasdale, Jonti and Indi.
All these successes added points to the ultimate prize and at the end of the reckoning for the Yurangie Cup, Tim and Zander took second and third places but 6 points clear and our series winner was Liz Brice. In the Geelong Sield for Tub Boats with a late charge Jim came up to third, though did not challenge Ashley for second who was very close behind our series winner, Indi McDonald. Very worthy winners of our series trophies.
Full results can be found here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dyL1tF_yPnQyLD4IeS_8AOvRgmJH_l0gJbf9sm9rWvs/edit?usp=drive_link
Thanks to our volunteer team, Ian Bridgland, Kate Fragiotta, Claire Dennis, Andrew Logan, Robs Heath and England, Don Lester, Nik White, and Eugenia Caralt Garrido. I pass on the gratitude of all of our participants – without you this series would not happen. Thank you.
Now a reminder of entries for the Scullers Head of the Maribyrnong. Entries are due in today please so do not hesitate – jump on to Trybooking NOW! https://www.trybooking.com/DMENC
Also remember the Sculler’s head of the Barwon on Saturday August 8th. Don’t miss out on the race on your own river!
See you all soon!
24/07/2026
//// Winter Series Race 6 Draw //////
Hey Winter Scullers,
The handicaps have been adjusted and the draw is up for Race 6, the last of the Winter Series.
Sunny with a tail breeze can mean only one thing – It’s On . . . . . . . Like Donkey Kong!
As always, shared boats are in heat 1 & 7, but we remain flexible to add or move as required. Pizza and presentations of the Yurangie Cup and Geelong Shield after the racing.
Link to the Winter Sculling sheet : https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dyL1tF_yPnQyLD4IeS_8AOvRgmJH_l0gJbf9sm9rWvs/edit?usp=drive_link
See you Tomorrow!
2026 Winter Sculling.xlsx
18/07/2026
//// Winter Series Race 5 Draw //////
Hey Siblings of the Oar,
The handicaps have been adjusted and the draw is up for Race 5 of the Winter Series.
A most excellent day awaits and the observant ones amongst you will have noticed I have not posted a Heat 7 at this point – I am expecting a plethora of walk-ins tomorrow so have a spot in antici . . . . . . pation!
I have put shared boats in heat 1 & 8, but remain flexible to adjust.
Link to the Winter Sculling sheet : https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dyL1tF_yPnQyLD4IeS_8AOvRgmJH_l0gJbf9sm9rWvs/edit?usp=drive_link
See you Tomorrow!
2026 Winter Sculling.xlsx
12/07/2026
//// Winter Series Race 4 //////
The Gods delivered a day of superlatives today. The wind howled, river flooded and the records tumbled. We had 12 go under 6 minutes which is a record in itself but it included Maggie who at 5:41 set a new course record for fastest girl ever in the Winter Series. At the event we also announced a new open course record but closer scrutiny revealed a glitch in the system. William Gilbert set the fastest time of this series at 6:26 – which is a fantastic time, but not yet enough to unseat Sir Richard Axe who managed 5:19 (in probably more flow and wind) back in about 2008.
(I am embarrassed to admit that when I asked myself “If Will actually did 5:10, how come he didn’t win his heat?” the problem revealed itself)
As usual fast is great, but it is the heat winners we celebrate. It was a very testing day with the wind and waves presenting either a helping hand or a smack in the chops – depending on your ability to handle the conditions. Those who evidently did the best of the handling were; Ella, Anita, Zoe, Fiona, Chris, Xavier (again!) Nina and Reese. Well done to our heat winners.
Today's results mixed up the points score too with Xavier and Liz now tied at the top of the overall points score for the Yurangie cup but Louise, Nina and Zander are just 3 points in arrears. The Geelong Shield for tubs has Ashley in the lead but with Indy, Ella and Sophie within 3 points. With (theoretically) 20 points yet to be awarded, you can see both events are still anyone’s to have!
Full results can be found here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dyL1tF_yPnQyLD4IeS_8AOvRgmJH_l0gJbf9sm9rWvs/edit?usp=drive_link
Next Sunday (19th July) we have the fifth of the 1500m handicapped events. The arrangements are the same being, please enter on TryBooking by Friday afternoon: https://www.trybooking.com/DMENC
See you Sunday!
11/07/2026
//// Winter Series Race 4 Draw //////
Hey Finaly Tuned Athletes,
The handicaps have been adjusted and the draw is up for Race 4 of the Winter Series.
We can expect a day free of rain but with quite a tail-ish breeze. A good opportunity to practice your running game!
I have put shared boats in the early heat, but have some flexibility to adjust. We can also accommodate entries on the day so don’t be bashful.
Link to the Winter Sculling sheet : https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dyL1tF_yPnQyLD4IeS_8AOvRgmJH_l0gJbf9sm9rWvs/edit?usp=drive_link
See you Tomorrow!
2026 Winter Sculling.xlsx
06/07/2026
//// Winter Series Race 3 //////
Race 3 of the GRA Winter Series delivered another FAST day with most people beating their previous times. The best example is Joseph Di**le who set out to beat 5:30 this season and did it in style yesterday posting a sizzling 5:27. The Bailey boys, Oliver and Xavier all went under 6 minutes so fantastic work men. The ladies were also on fire with Maggie posting 6:05 and Fiona next best. Jim was our fastest tub at 6:41 which is also the best tub time this season – well done!
Now, as impressive as those folks are, it is our heat winners that get the goodies and this race was one for our Raiders from the North! Ballarat City Rowing Club won 6 of the 8 heats contested! What sorcery is this??? There must be some magic in that High Altitude training – or is it that Wendouree water? Whatever it is – we acknowledge the fine efforts of Lilia, Sue, Meg, Paula and Toms (all of them). Actually, for Tom O’Riely it’s his second win in a row!!!! (as in; one after the other . . . not; in a boat). If not for the efforts of Skye (Corio) and Louise (Barwon) it would have been a clean sweep. So well done Ballarat City and well done the rest!
Now, at halfway through the series the overall points for the Yurangi Cup, we still see Liz Brice in first place on 32 points with Zeph , Zander, Xavier and Elizabeth all within 4 points!!!! Sophie Hopkins has leapt to the lead in the Geelong Shield race for tubs, with Stella, Eva, and Indie within 4 points too. Very exciting!!!
Full results can be found here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dyL1tF_yPnQyLD4IeS_8AOvRgmJH_l0gJbf9sm9rWvs/edit?usp=drive_link
Next Sunday (12th July) we have the fourth of the 1500m handicapped events. The arrangements are the same being, please enter on TryBooking by Friday afternoon: https://www.trybooking.com/DMENC
As mentioned yesterday, Friday evening seems a bit brisk for some of our participants so let’s say the draw will be posted Saturday morning for Sunday Registration at 8:30, and briefing at 9:00. We can handle entries on the day, but it is MUCH better if you enter by Friday please. We are past the midpoint and hitting the equivalent of the 3rd 500. Remain calm, maintain focus and maintain form. And the Force be With You!
Rroww-rrr!
(“Good Luck" in Shyriiwook)
03/07/2026
//// Winter Series Race 2 //////
Hey Sports Fans,
The handicaps have been adjusted and the draw is up for Race 3 of the Winter Series.
The weather man has promised a dry day and a gentle breeze so oil your slides and polish your bottoms – I feel we’re in for fast day!
I have put shared boats in the early heats, but have some flexibility to adjust. We can also accommodate entries on the day so don’t be bashful
Link to the Winter Sculling sheet : https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dyL1tF_yPnQyLD4IeS_8AOvRgmJH_l0gJbf9sm9rWvs/edit?usp=drive_link
See you Sunday!
2026 Winter Sculling.xlsx