I am now starting to understand why Mr Conington and others do what they do... why they wake up at ridiculous hours in the morning just to shout at eight and a half crew members. Why their week-ends consist of a whole day driving just to watch their crew race for about 10 minutes, then driving for another day to get home, ready for a Monday morning....!

I am currently coaching the year 10 (U 16's) 'D' crew at Scotch College (a school in Melbourne, Australia). Now you may think as they are the 'D' crew they have no knowledge or experience of rowing whatsoever......and you'd be right in thinking this....! But that's where I come in. I have them training for two hours on a Monday, two hours on a Wednesday and waking at 5:45am on a Friday morning for another two hour outing. They have ergo tests, 5K and 2K in lunch periods, once every two weeks and they manage to fit in one weights session every week...! And they love it..!

Stop complaining 5th year.....! You've got it easy. We have the main head race in a months time - "Head of the Yarra". My aim is for my 'D' crew to beat the 'C' crew. Wish me luck.

Joel Jameson joeljameson@yahoo.com Captain MCSBC 2001)