The usual early morning rowing start. Emily and Caitlin arrived at our place for a 5am departure. I had gotten up at 4 and "fixed" the Vito's drivers window.
The three girls along with blankets and sleeping bags stretched out in the back.
The trip out was a slow one. The fog really limited the speed to well below the limit for much of the way. We arrived respectably late at 6:15. The fog was still very thick. We could not see the finish line. I reckon it would have been fun to row in that. The officials would have no idea if boats had even finished and maybe one or two might overshoot the finish line and disappear down the spillway.
The program was delayed by half an hour and then again by a further half hour.
Our (Brigidine) first race of the day was Emilly and Laura in the YR9 double scull heat. They came in first and this set the scene for a tough but rewarding weekend. Four young ladies from a small school pulled in a disproportionate number of really good placings.
It's an incredibly tough deal to make it to a final. Not only are there usually heats and semi finals, rowers usually row in multiple types of boats and all this takes a toll on their muscles. It's a balancing act to mange all these races.
The next big surprise was the quad. Our full representative contingent. We knew we had a few hurdles to manage. A large age range. The youngest - Jemma in grade 7 (12yo). Caitlin Grade 8. Laura and Emily in grade 9. Laura and Emily stronger and able to row at a much higher rating. Also shortly after this quad race both Emily and Laura had their double scull final. I put Jemma in stroke seat because I figured she was the slowest. Right behind her Emily. then Caitlin in 2 seat and Lara in bow. My logic was that Emily and Laura could keep impeccable time and also keep in time with Jemma. Caitlin would be kind of book ended between them. I spoke to the girls and emphasised to keep in time. Keep the boat level and row smooth. So imagine my surprise when the boat powered through to fourth place and only by 0.44 seconds to third place.
Somewhere in all of this Caitlin scored a doubles race as a sub.
The final Brigidine race for the day was race 41, the GR9 girls double scull final. On the hill awaiting the start and they were away. Out in front all the way. As they passed the headland with 300m to go they had a clear lead. Those last 30 strokes might not sound like much but it's absolutly exhausting. They maintained their lead and came away with a convincing gold medal.
I had a bout of the flu or something. Off work friday. Sat was Ok but by the time this last race was on, I'd faded. The girls were tired too. Emily and Jemma sound asleep as we drove home.
Sunday
It rained quite heavily over night and the rain continued as we drove out. It was just Jemma with me as Caitlin had spent the night in Boonah and Emily was coming down with her dad. I was concerned that a long day and wet ground might lead to getting sick so I stopped into a service station and picked up some ponchos and garbage bags. I was also cognisant that Caitlin was scheduled in an early race and we were running late. I primed Jemma to have her bag ready to jump out at the car park entrance and go and help Caitlin.
Caitlin was launched and I turned my attention to the program. Luckily the girls are very aware and knew their race times, lanes and boat allocations. So good. We got Emily then Laura away for their single heats.
It was a big but well paced day of racing for all the girls with enough of a break between races to grab some food and rest. I mused on how many races these girls were doing. A heat, a semi final before one gets to the final. And these girls were making it all the way.
Our final race was the GR8 double. See right down the bottom for detailed description
Results
| Race | What | Who | Place | |
| 6 | Schoolgirls Year 9 Double Scull Heat | Laura, Emily | 1 | |
| 12 | Schoolgirls Under 17 Single Scull – Heat | Laura | 6 | |
| 13 | Schoolgirls Under 17 Single Scull – Heat | Emily | 5 | |
| 35 | Schoolgirls Year 9 Quad Scull (Coxed) | Laura, Caitlin, Emily, Jemma | 4 | Less than half a second to 3rd |
| 41 | Schoolgirls Year 9 Double Scull – Final | Laura, Emily | 1 | GOLD!!! |
| Sunday | ||||
| 58 | Schoolgirls Under 15 Single Scull – Heat | Caitlin | 1 | |
| 61 | Schoolgirls Under 16 Single Scull – Heat | Emily | 3 | |
| 63 | Schoolgirls Under 16 Single Scull – Heat | Laura | 1 | |
| 73 | Schoolgirls Under 14 Single Scull – Heat | Jemma | 1 | |
| 84 | Schoolgirls Under 15 Single Scull – Semi Final | Caitlin | 5 | |
| 90 | Schoolgirls Under 16 Single Scull – Semi Final | Laura | 3 | |
| 91 | Schoolgirls Under 16 Single Scull – Semi Final | Emily | 4 | |
| 95 | Schoolgirls Year 8 Double Scull – Heat | Caitlin, Jemma | 2 | |
| 101 | Schoolgirls Under 14 Single Scull –Final | Jemma | 4 | |
| 107 | Schoolgirls Under 15 Single Scull –Final | Caitlin | 9 | |
| 111 | Schoolgirls Under 16 Single Scull – Final | Laura | 5 | |
| 113 | Schoolgirls Year 8 Double Scull – Final | Caitlin, Jemma | 3 | Less than half a second to 2nd |
Double Scull
Heat
Double Scull
GR9
GR8 Double Scull - Caitlin & Jemma
It's the end of the day and many boats have been derigged. I'm selling sea shells at the sea shore waiting for Jemma Thomson & Catlin to turn up. There are two double sculls left and two Kenmore crews put them in the water.It dawns on me that we have an inventory control issue.
More boats are called for. 4 minutes to launch time and we race back to the trailer. A double is grabbed and we rifle through the trailer looking for its riggers. At the sea shore a team of Kenmore people jump in and help. This is the way to rig boats.
Right on time the girls are on the water. Final adjustments made and they are on their way to the start.
I was hoping for a Centenary 1,2,3 finish.
On the headland I met a friend Richard (sponge) Powell. A rowing luminary who has boats named after him. He, it appeares, was coaching the All Hallows crew. The race was away and the crowd on edge. 300m from the finish and the boats pass the headland. We (Brigo) in a pretty good position.
As the boats pass out of view, The spectators run to the next vantage point. Murray (Mr rowing Qld) is calling the race. The All Hallows crew cross first but it's a photo finish for 2nd & 3rd.
The video ref finally pronounces a bronze to Jemma & Caitlin.
Well done girls.
Off the water we find another rowing luminary - the namesake of the boat the girls just rowed in. Photo op.
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