28Oct 2018 by Liam No Comments
Balmain Para-Rowing Athletes at the AIRC

Balmain Para-Rowing Athletes at the AIRC

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A dozen Athletes from the Balmain Para Rowing Program travelled to Macquarie University on Sunday 28 October 2018 to compete at the 2018 Australian Indoor Rowing Championships - by the afternoon, they had made their mark with new personal bests, medals, and records! Sam Shalhoub, Stephen Lawler, Nikolai Olding, Kevin Wall, Stephanie Walker, Bronte Marshall, Tahli Hind and new rowers Nathan Diab and Phillip Nwosu competed in the challenge, which saw Kevin Wall take out the PR3 2000m in a 7:00.1 time, with Sam Shalhoub coming in second place with a 7:14.  New rower Philip took out third place, just behind Sam and Kevin. Reprising a role he must be getting used to, Kevin then doubled up to take the place of two rowers in the relay together with Tahli…
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15Oct 2018 by Liam No Comments
Christening and Training 2018

Christening and Training 2018

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Wow - could we really fit anything more into one weekend?  Last weekend the Para Program raced 9 crews at the Spring Regatta, 'springing' into action with 24 premiership points at the first regatta of the season.  However, not wanting to rest on our laurels, we also ran a training camp and christened not one, but FOUR new boats for the program!   The Sky cleared just in time for the boats to be christened... Seven new para athletes took part in the training day, having been identified by Rowing NSW and the program at a recent 'try-out' day run by the Australian Paralympic Committee.  Those athletes joined over a dozen BRC para rowers in an all-day training session the day after the Spring Regatta.Although the weather certainly challenged all participants,…
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25Sep 2018 by Liam No Comments
Ruby Sutherland – Variety Heart Scholar

Ruby Sutherland – Variety Heart Scholar

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Congratulations to Ruby Sutherland who has been selected as a Variety Heart Scholar for 2018! At 90 years old, Variety has been assisting thousands of children who live with disadvantage, disability or illness.  Variety provides scholarships to children with an existing talent living with disabilities, chronic illness or financial hardship to achieve their full potential and to follow their dreams.   As a para rower with potential in the sport, Ruby has attended the Rowing Australia trials for the national squad, and has competed for over 5 years.  With the help of Variety, Ruby will have the ability to obtain and maintain specialised equipment she uses for training and racing, as well as to travel to away regattas, whether they be in Balmain, Ballarat or Boston! Thanks to Variety for their…
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21Sep 2018 by Liam No Comments
Congratulations Jack – our Emerging Athlete!

Congratulations Jack – our Emerging Athlete!

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Jack training on the Lane Cove River Congratulations to Jack Calderan for being selected as an Emerging Athlete by the prestigious University of Technology, Sydney.  As an emerging athlete, Jack has been recognised as having strong potential by his University to progress his rowing career, and will be given valuable support and assistance to achieve his goals in the Sport. We are both delighted on Jack's behalf and also very thankful to the University of Technology, Sydney, for their belief in and support of Jack in his sporting endeavours!
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19Sep 2018 by Liam No Comments
World Championships Wrap-Up – Congratulations Aussies!

World Championships Wrap-Up – Congratulations Aussies!

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The 2018 Rowing World Championships were held in Plovdiv, Bulgaria between 9 and 16 September 2018, and this year saw the Balmain Para-Rowing Program's James Talbot compete in an historic two events in the PR3 category - the mixed coxed four, and a new coxless pair event, introduced into the program for the first time this year. James raced the pair with Torrens Rowing Club's Jed Altschwager, and in a very competitive field they obtained an incredibly strong result, coming home with the silver medal.  James, who raced with his School, SCEGGS Redlands prior to rowing with Balmain, partnered with new rower Jed, who has only been rowing for 18 months, but was identified by Rowing Australia and Torrens RC as a potential para-athlete following the Rio Paralympics.   James and…
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22Apr 2018 by Liam No Comments
To the Primary Club of Australia – THANK YOU!

To the Primary Club of Australia – THANK YOU!

Sunday Thanks, Updates
The Balmain Para-Rowing Program is both delighted and humbled to be able to announce the generous donation received by the Primary Club of Australia of funds for the purchase of our first racing para double / pair! The Primary Club of Australia [caption id="attachment_927" align="alignleft" width="214"] The Primary Club Logo - depicting a cricket 'golden duck'[/caption] Who are the Primary Club of Australia, you say?  Well - the Primary Club of Australia is registered charity founded in 1974.  The fundamental aim of The Primary Club of Australia is to give people with disabilities the opportunity to experience the joy and exhilaration that comes from any form of physical activity. Money is raised via a number of social events for their members and guests as well as members paying “fines” (as an optional…
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25Mar 2018 by Liam No Comments
Nationals Wrap-Up – Success for our Rowers!

Nationals Wrap-Up – Success for our Rowers!

Updates
In the final wrap-up from the 2018 Sydney International Rowing Regatta, the Balmain Para-Rowing Program has had a very successful week, with James Talbot and Ruby Sutherland both bringing home medals for the program. [caption id="attachment_903" width="300" align="alignright"] James Talbot on the Podium with Mac Russell (Qld) and Jed Altschwager (SA)[/caption] James Talbot did extremely well to bring home a gold in a composite PR3 4+ together with Kate Murdoch (Nepean), Nikki Ayers (ANU), Ben Gibson (Sydney), and Renae Domaschenz (cox) (ANU), as well as a silver in the PR3 2x with Nikki Ayers, and two Bronze medals, in the PR3 1x and in the Interstate PR3 1x respectively. Ruby received a wonderful opportunity to row with a strong University of Tasmania crew in the PR3 4+, and achieved a…
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22Mar 2018 by Liam No Comments
[National Champs Update] Bronze for James Talbot and Strong Row from Eoghan!

[National Champs Update] Bronze for James Talbot and Strong Row from Eoghan!

Events, Updates
A huge congratulations to James Talbot for securing a Bronze medal in the PR3 Men’s 1x earlier this afternoon! James had a hard-fought race to secure a podium finish close behind Mac Russell (Qld) and Jed Altschwager (SA) to put BRC onto the medal count in the 2018 Champs. James rowed hard and fought back from a slightly slower start to row through the fourth-placed Sydney RC Sculler Ben Gibson – after 1500m only 0.15 seconds separated the two scullers, with James eventually finishing 8.71 seconds ahead. James will be racing tomorrow in the PR3 Mixed double with partner Nikki Ayers, who also finished 3rd in her own PR3 W1x race moments ago, before racing in a composite PR3 4+, sprints PR3 1x and as NSW’s representative at the Interstate…
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19Feb 2018 by Liam No Comments
Tuesday-Tip: How to tie down a boat

Tuesday-Tip: How to tie down a boat

coaching, Updates, website
Once you've been involved in rowing for long enough, you start to pick up your own particular ways of taking care of your equipment.  Whether it is how you wash and clean your hull, when to replace your fasteners, or where you put your oars on the pontoon, everyone has their own opinions and their own particular ways. Tying boats down to racks, and on trailers, is one of the most important parts of safely transporting equipment.  Do it right and you'll have a stress-free drive, but if you tie down a boat too tightly, you can crack the shell and be up for a hefty repair bill (not to mention forgetting to tie down a boat, or using poor-quality equipment which then fails in transit - think of flying…
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12Feb 2018 by Liam No Comments
University 2 Beyond with Tahli Hind

University 2 Beyond with Tahli Hind

Events, Updates
This morning, Para-Athlete and member of the Balmain Para-Rowing Program Tahli Hind shared her experiences of attending university as members of the the "University 2 Beyond" program, together with fellow alumni Chris Bunton on Radio National with presenters Amanda Smith and Michael Mackenzie. You can listen to the podcast here! The University 2 Beyond Program is run by the University of Sydney together with the Centre for Disability Studies, led by Professor Patricia O'Brien as the program's director. The program is immensely proud of Tahli in both being part of this program and in sharing her experiences to help promote awareness for the program and its wonderful outcomes for its participants. Uni 2 Beyond Uni 2 beyond, formerly known as the Inclusive Education Program, is an innovative and award-winning initiative that supports people…
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14Aug 2017 by Liam No Comments
Monday Meet-the-rower: Ruby Sutherland

Monday Meet-the-rower: Ruby Sutherland

Monday Meet-The-Rower
“No two snowflakes are alike…One completely different from the other.” (Charles. M. Schulz.) Today's Monday Meet-the-rower is profiling one of our long-standing members, Ruby Sutherland.  Ruby has competed both for Balmain with the Balmain Para-Rowing Program, as well as for her school, PLC Sydney.  Read about Ruby below! [caption id="attachment_209" align="alignright" width="222"] Ruby with members of the Para Squad[/caption] "I was born at 23 weeks and 4 days gestation at just 620 grams in weight. As a result I spent 105 days after my birth in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Royal North Shore Hospital. As a result of my extreme prematurity, I am diagnosed with retinopathy of prematurity (Legally Blind), Right side hemiplegia (Cerebral Palsy) and I have an intellectual delay. "I started rowing in 2013 when I…
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07Aug 2017 by Liam No Comments
Monday Meet-the-rower: Jeremy McGrath

Monday Meet-the-rower: Jeremy McGrath

Monday Meet-The-Rower
[caption id="attachment_301" align="alignright" width="225"] Paralympic Rower Jeremy McGrath[/caption] The magical fairies who update our site for us have been on holiday over the winter, but with the start of a new month, it's time to catch up!  Today, we're profiling Paralympian and Balmain Para-Rowing Program member Jeremy McGrath! "I was born without a tibia and with a slightly shortened fibula in my right leg. When I was very young I could get around the house, awkwardly, on my right leg but for full mobility I have always needed a prosthesis. After attending a Paralympic Talent Search in 2013, I was put in touch with Barbara Ramjan at Balmain Rowing Club. The Club has a strong para-rowing program and I began rowing with them in May 2013. "In 2009, at aged…
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04Aug 2017 by Liam No Comments
Our Waltzing Matilda!

Our Waltzing Matilda!

Updates
Sorry you have not heard from us over the last fortnight, but no, we didn't forget to post over the last two weeks, we were waiting for the finals at the World DragonBoat Championships some could share the results. Why? Our last featured member, Matilda, was competing! [caption id="attachment_564" align="alignright" width="300"] Matilda with the Zodiacs[/caption] This is Matilda's sixth year of competing for Sydney Zodiacs and it's her second campaign for the Australian Junior Auroras at the International Dragon Boat Federation championships, her first was 2015 to Canada as an Under 16. She came home from Canada covered in gold. Moving forward to 2017 as an under 18 Matilda has just competed in Divonne-les-Barnes where she was honoured by being selected as the indigenous flag bearer for the Opening Ceremony. [caption…
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