2014 Head Of The Brisbane

Sat 8 Nov 2014 was a hot Brisbane summers day and I pasted on the sunscreen.

The HOB (Head of the Brisbane) is a 10km rowing race.  Starts from near the uni boat ramp goes up stream 5km.  U turn and back down to finish across the same line.

The first hurdle we had to deal with was traffic.  For some unknown reason it was heavy and I was running late.  Rob phoned from the uni to tell me that the bow numbers were not available.  They were supposed to be available for collection from 9am.  As far as he could work out, the bow numbers were now not expected to be available until 9:45.  That was the time were were intending to be out our shed.

Then our cox - Nikki called to tell me she was running late due to road works on the Western freeway.

Somewhere along the lines I discovered Brad was at the uni.  It was decided that he would get our bow number at the same time that he got "The Shadows" bow number.

At the Shed we gathered, stretched and liboed up.  Nikki arrived and we awaited Brad's arrival.  Bow number slotted on and we took to the water.

Warmed up.  Arrived in a fair time.  Bobbed around.  backed it up a bit.  Some 4's started in front of us.  We were "B3".  The two 8's in front of us started and then we were off.  Shortly thereafter The Vikings and  "The Shadows" started and began to overtake us.  What we did not realise at the time was that after they overtook us, they had an altercation.  A clash of oars.  Later in the race, the shadows rudder fell off.  High drama.

Back in our boat it was hard going.  Our boat is chronically down on stroke side.  As we rowed up stream there were moments when it seemed like we had it but they were transitory.  After the U-turn, from my point of view it became a really hard slog.  What little rhythm and balance we had before the turn seemed to have vanished.  We settled in for the return journey and finally made it over the finish line.  No idea of the time but I bet not good. 

 This is our crew as we go under the green bridge just after the start.  I am at the top left of the picture with my oar going off to the right and the blade just out of shot.

Here we are on the return journey.  look at all the white water on stroke side.  Still down and showing how wrung out we are.

From my POV, if we could sort out the balance we could be exhausted and happy whereas now we are physically and mentally stuffed.






And finally shadows (white boat) vs Vikings (in the black boat).  Just before the Green Bridge.