“Quit yourselves like men! Strive and strike again, with bodies fit and minds in fettle, if strewn your path with rose or nettle”…

Well, as Old Boys you know the rest of the song, and despite its age the words are remarkably fitting for these times. The COVID-19 lockdown has taken our shed, boats and Regatta’s from us for the time being, but the Old Collegians' Rowing Club will carry on regardless.

Don’t let the lockdown fence you in, come and row with the “virtual” crew at the Old Collegians' Rowing Club. If you have access to an ergo and WhatsApp, then you are all set to join our home rowing training program from wherever in the world you find yourself. What better way to dig into some fitness goals and enjoy some great banter in the months ahead. You will get to mix (social distance compliant) with an entertaining bunch of characters spanning generations. We are in all shapes, sizes and ages so there is a place for the novice through to the Masters competitor and everyone in between.

The ergo programs are being assembled by rowing and fitness professionals, so variety is guaranteed along with the ability to build and track progress towards a personal goal. Wade Ruffin (OC 1984) is a guru in crafting creative formats. You will get more out of this than you put in and, with the dark winter months ahead, this will be a great avenue to fuel both heart and mind. There may even be the opportunity to battle the Grammarians and Churchie Old Boys in a virtual regatta if that catches your fancy to battle once again with rivals of days old.

We officially kicked off our COVID-19 ergo program on Monday 30 March with three ergo sessions a week. The response to date has been great with the existing club welcoming an array of new virtual members with Old Boys spanning the ranks from 1973 to 2018. One week in, and the club has rowed a cumulative total of 381km’s – an outstanding effort.

Speaking of outstanding effort and achievement, let’s acknowledge OCs Elliot Apel (OC 2014), Mac Hamilton (OC 2003) and Jack Kibble (OC 2016) who along with coach Randall Martin (OC 1990), were selected to represent Queensland in the 2020 Kings Cup VIII. Alas the shroud of the virus lockdown has since scuppered the 2020 race; a challenging situation given the countless hours of effort expended. Look out for these lads in the future as adversity has a knack of building champions.  

Finally, the great thing about virtual rowing is the endless capacity, so don’t hold back. Please contact Adrian Humphrey (OC 1984) on mobile 0417 625 919 or Andrew Clough (OC 1987) on mobile 0473 888 880 to find how to “on board” for the COVID-19 ergo training.