Local strength in masters boats

THE local rowing community will be well represented as part of the 2023 Victorian Masters rowing squad.

Wendouree Ballarat Rowing Club’s Lee Martin has been selected for the women’s quad scull, and Rebecca Gribble will row in the women’s eight.

Sharon Waters and Sam Hutchison, from Ballarat City Rowing Club and WBRC respectively, have been selected to coach the Victorian women’s eight.

“I’m really thrilled to be part of it, along with Sam as co-coach, and I hope to bring together nine women from different clubs to make sure they’re as competitive as they can be,” Waters said.

“It’s great to have Ballarat regionally represented, and to have our good, local talent recognised at an elite level.”

As the youngest rower in her squad, Gribble said her crew is feeling confident heading into the state championships this weekend, and the nationals in Sydney in June.

“We’re in the early stages of finalising the combination of seating of the crew, but we had a win on the weekend at the Ballarat Regatta,” she said.

“The average age of the crew had to be 50, so being the youngest rower in the squad, I need to be as fit and strong as I can be, and make it worthwhile for everyone.

“I’m grateful to be part of the crew, and I’ve worked hard for it, so it’s nice to be recognised.”

Waters said rowing is a “lifetime sport.”

“It’s a testament to the fact that it doesn’t matter how old you are, you can learn to row with time and effort,” she said.

She said Ballarat has a stronghold in the sport because of the city’s deep rowing history, and the athletes produced here prove you don’t have to be on the Yarra to succeed.

“Ballarat City Rowing Club was the sixth rowing club nationally to be established, back in 1870, so rowing has been a part of Ballarat for 150-odd years, including the Olympics in 1956,” Waters said.

“We’ve had numerous world champion and Olympic representatives from Lake Wendouree across all our community clubs.

“We’re still up there and worthy of contention, even though we’re not Melbourne-based. Rowing Victoria is just that, it’s about rowing Victoria, and it’s wonderful that Ballarat athletes have the opportunity to nominate and get selected.”

BCRC’s Ebony Ebenwaldner was also close to qualifying for the quad scull.