Having received six years of secondary education at the King's School Parramatta, which has a reputation for its rowing, I have found my involvement with Monkton Combe School Boat Club (MCSBC) a most enjoyable and educational experience. At the beginning of my season at Monkton I believe I was very narrow minded towards rowing, as I was unacquainted with the different styles and approaches to rowing, having just left school. The major difference between schoolboy rowing in Sydney and England, is that our preparation and training throughout the season is aimed towards just one race. This race is known as the Great Public Schools' Head of the River. Any pre-season regattas are insignificant in comparison, and in most cases they are utilised for training purposes, and as an opportunity to witness how the opposition are progressing. This seems to be the major downfall in our rowing, as the season becomes extremely monotonous. Whereas the approach taken by Monkton, and I imagine by the majority of English schools, is indeed a more formidable approach to schoolboy rowing, as every race they compete in is regarded as crucial and the most important. This attitude towards rowing creates a great deal of variety and excitment for both oarsmen and coach.

Having coached the J14s throughout the season it became obvious that at an early age the boys of Monkton (unlike many other boat clubs I have seen in Australia) understand that one hundred percent effort is all that is expected from them. Only too often have I seen individuals and crews as a whole not willing to face up to reality and admit that the opposition is better. In a sport such as rowing there is a great deal of camaraderie that must evolve within the crew for it to progress successfully. A fine example, which I would like to mention to emphasise this strength of comradeship between Monkton crews, was the time when the first VIII won at Hereford Regatta, having had a very disappointing row at National Schools' the previous day. They all put the past behind them and got on with the job that lay ahead. Also, there is the interest that the senior members of the MCSBC take in their younger oarsmen, asking them how their crew is going and taking time to help them put their boats together. This I believe is one of Monktons strongest attributes, within its rowing club, and is one of the important charactersitics of rowing that must be upheld. Unlike many schools I have noticed, throughout the season, Monkton has not fallen into the trap of spending large amounts of money on boats and equipment just in order to keep up with technology. I consider the money that is allocated to the Boat Club is spent wisely and sensibly to benefit the club as a whole. The major disadvantage, and I must say quite an eye-opener for me having trained on the Parramatta River in Australia, is the minute meandering stretch of water that nine or ten crews attempt to train on at Monkton. I think Brian Mawer and Adrian Gayner would both agree with me in saying that Monkton could quite easily employ a full-time professional oar restorer because of the amount of breakages occurring within a season! However I can see two beneficial qualities in training on the river, firstly coxes leam how to steer, with many casualties in the process, and secondly crews do have never ending practice at stopping in emergencies!

It may have been suggested before, although I would still like to emphasise, that Monkton's rowing standards could easily rise if the senior three or four crews carried out their training at Saltford; as the saying goes 'mileage makes champions'. The twenty minute drive in a school mini-bus would be equivalent to the time wasted running up and down to the shed and queueing in order to launch boats.

With relatively few students to choose from for the senior VIII, I feel it might be more appropriate to train two senior IVs. Although it would mean Monkton withdrawing from the prestigious championship VIlls , it would be more beneficial for individual rowing ability. In addition to this Monkton could produce a very successful IV.

I feel it should be stressed that if one wants to complete such courses as Henley, National Schools and numerous other head races successfully, a certian degree of land training is necessary to build up individual strength and stamina. Many times, I have seen Monkton crews leave the blocks with a great deal of power and speed, yet slowly but surely this has deteriorated as the race progressed beyond 1000 metres. One hour of intense training per day is all that is required by senior crews if they wish to reach the level of fitness obtained by their opposition. It is not, as many people believe, the amount of hours you put into your training per day, it is the intensity of that training.

I would like to conclude by publicly thanking MCSBC for a most enjoyable and interesting season, which I have benefited from enormously and of which I have many happy memories that will stay with me. Finally I believe Monkton must be credited for its standard of rowing, given their facilities, and the supportive atmosphere that revolves around the Monkton Combe School Boat Club.

(We are grateful to a former Captain of Boats for this note)

A significant crowd congregated at the boathouses after lunch on the Saturday of Society Weekend to celebrate JMB's 21st year as 1st VIII coach, comprising Monktonians past and present, parents and partners. Three boats from the lately manufactured and fast growing Mawer/Gayner fleet were officially named and launched; a fine four to suit senior oarsmen and named after a recent Old Monktonian International, R.A.Ireland, was launched by his wife, and sculls named CRTA and PNDA after two recent Captains were launched by their mother, Mrs. Margaret Askew. JMB was presented with an emblazoned blade to commemorate the occasion, donated by members of 1st VIIIs from the past 21 years. Following this, an array of eights, fours, pairs and sculls boated, conglomerate crews of Monktonian oarsmen from all eras, unrelenting, unrehearsed, and probably for the most part unfit! This mass sortie was an extreme success, fully enjoyed by all involved; it is greatly hoped this event can become an annual one. Later, many members of 1st VIIIs past and present took pleasure in reminiscent conversation and a sumptuous buffet dinner on board the canal restaurant The John Rennie, for all of which JMB is greatly thanked, I know, by everyone.