Man Squad - Melbourne Rowing Club

12/09/2022

19/03/2021

For this week's ̶h̶u̶r̶s̶d̶a̶y̶friday we take a look at Ma-Row-Thon 2017, a fundraising event created by Man Squad member Henry Jarvis to raise awareness of mental health.

The idea behind Ma-Row-Thon is simple: You erg. A lot.

Taking place at the Melbourne Rowing Club in August that year, all participants had the choice of covering a number of different distances on a rowing machine; ranging from the respectable and manageable 10km "sprint" to the gruelling and enervating full 42km marathon. Featuring a strong showing from Man Squad, all entrants completed their set challenge with aplomb.

Attendees were treated to drinks and a barbeque at the club, with all proceeds from the day going to Beyond Blue. The event was considered a great success, which lead to it being held again the following year (more on that later...).

https://www.beyondblue.org.au/
1300 22 4636

12/03/2021

For this week's ̶h̶u̶r̶s̶d̶a̶y̶friday we take a look at something which is becoming a bit of a staple in Man Squad's recent summer camps - A hike up the Glasgow Trail.

After a weekend of numerous rowing sessions, circuit training, and focaccias from Rhumbas, what better way is there to close out a camp then by stumbling directly up the side of Mt. Dandenong?

The view at the top is almost worth the arduous trek. Just be sure to carry a means of hydration (beer) with you! The quicker you climb, the cooler it will be when you get a chance to drink it ;)

04/03/2021

Just in case you weren't at the regatta, or didn't see the results plastered all over the MRC Facebook group, Instagram account, and numerous members' profiles, this week's takes a look at Man Squad's efforts at the Rowing Victoria State Championships last weekend. You know, because I'm lazy.

The highlight of the day came in the final of the Men's D-Grade Coxed Quad. Under the ever-reliable guidance of coxswain Matthew Bennett, the crew of Patrick Welham, Michael Xing, Aman Sideek, and Timothy Crooks were able to dig deep and hold off a fast finishing Richmond crew to claim gold.

Welham and Crooks would also feature on the podium in the C-Pair event, walking away with s̶h̶a̶m̶e̶f̶u̶l̶ respectable bronze medals.

Pictured left to right: Timothy Crooks, Aman Sideek, Patrick Welham, Michael Xing, Matthew Bennett

25/02/2021

For this week's we take a look at the Unchanging Coxed Quad which took part at the RFDS Rowathon back in 2017.

Under the guidance of coxswain Matthew Bennett, the crew of Henry Jarvis, Bryn Evans, Peter Munns, and Patrick Welham negotiated the gruelling Murray (& Darling?) River course with an impressive time of 6:12:40.

For Man Squad, Rowathon is one of the most beloved regattas on the rowing calendar, and we were deeply saddened when the 2020 event got cancelled. Fingers crossed everything goes to plan this year, as we naturally have plenty of crazy ideas for unchanging crews in the future - Can't wait!

Pictured left to right: Bryn Evans, Patrick Welham, Henry Jarvis, Peter Munns, Matthew Bennett

18/02/2021

For this week's exciting installment of we take a look at the mixed double event that took place at Rutherglen 2020.

In the first time competing in the double together, the team of Tanja Nishibata and Timothy Crooks were able to hold off an imposing Corio Bay crew to claim a close victory on the 800m Lake Moodemere course.

I don't have a photo of the event, so here's a picture of The Undertaker delivering a chokeslam to "The Heartbreak Kid" Shawn Michaels at WrestleMania 25. Undertaker would go on to win the match with his signature "Tombstone Piledriver" finisher, increasing his streak of WrestleMania victories to 17-0. The pair would face off again the following year in a "Streak vs. Career" match at WrestleMania 26, which resulted in Michaels' retirement from professional wrestling.

SOURCE: Wikipedia

Pictured up to down: Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker.

12/02/2021

For this week's ̶h̶u̶r̶s̶d̶a̶y̶friday we take a look at the Men's C-Grade Coxed Four that competed at Rutherglen 2019.

Under the guidance of Lauren McAllister, the crew of Bryn Evans, Alex Richardson, Sam Doble, and Timothy Crooks were able to claim victory in a close finish against an imposing Melbourne Argonauts outfit on the 800m Lake Moodemere course.

The regatta was Lauren's first for helping out with coxing the men's crews, a role which she carried out for the entire 2019 sprint season.

🎉 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐬 𝐏𝐨𝐩 𝐐𝐮𝐢𝐳 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞! 🎉

Can you guess who was still borrowing a race zootie for regattas at the time? 🤔🤔

Pictured left to right: Alex Richardson, Sam Doble, Bryn Evans, Timothy Crooks, Lauren McAllister (cox)

05/02/2021

This week I follow my lazy tradition of throwing back to a regatta that's just happened. Trust me, if you saw the content that I still have to work with, you'd understand completely...

Wendouree 2021 saw four members of Man Squad make the trip to Ballarat to compete. While most of the entries involved smaller boats, the highlight of the day was the coxed D Quad final.

With roughly 250m to go, a competent Albert Park College crew had created a noticeable lead. However, guided by Frances Graham in the cox seat, the crew of Aman Sideek, Matt Bennett, Patrick Welham, and Timothy Crooks produced a late blitz to surge across the finish line first by 0.2 seconds.

Thankfully the Wendouree regatta is live streamed, so there was footage of the race. Additional photos will be posted in the comments.

Here's to a successful win boys, may our good fortunes continue for the rest of the season!

̶h̶u̶r̶s̶d̶a̶y̶friday

28/01/2021

Each year, as the serious sprint regattas quickly approach, Man Squad take part in a summer rowing camp. This consists of - you guessed it - a lot of rowing in the summertime. It also consists of other forms of exercise mixed in over the two days in order to keep things fresh.

One such example of said alternative exercise is a circuit session held by Wahman Squad Chieftainess Tammy Robichaud. The session is especially beloved by every Man Squad rower, as it gives them an opportunity to showcase their impressive goblet squat depth and exemplary burpee form, as shown in the footage from 2019 (?) below.

Yes, those are meant to be burpees.

21/01/2021

For this week's we take a look at the 2018 Wendouree Sprint Regatta, held at Lake Wendouree back in 2018.

Man Squad would once again have success in multiple events on the day, with the crew of Michael Xing, Justin Moloney, Aman Sideek, and Timothy Crooks claiming a breakthrough victory in the MD4X+, under the guidance of coxswain Matthew Bennett.

Bennett would also steer the MB4+ crew of Henry Colin Dools Jarvis, Alexander Richardson, Patrick Welham, and Bryn Evans to first place on the 2km B Grade course.

With Wendouree just over one week away, will Man Squad have similar success? Stay tuned for more recent regatta write-ups over the next few months!

Pictured left to right: Michael Xing, Peter Munns, Timothy Crooks, Henry Colin Dools Jarvis, Justin Moloney, Alexander Richardson, Matthew Bennett, Patrick Welham, Aman Sideek, Bryn Evans

14/01/2021

Over the last week I've confirmed three things:

1) Regattas are definitely back!
2) There really should have been a summary of last weekend by now...
3) I'm incredibly l̶a̶z̶y̶ efficient with my journalism.

Therefore I'm going to kill two birds with one stone and throw back to quite literally five days ago and cover Rutherglen 2021.

With most clubs uncertain of success due to varying levels of training and fitness, it was comforting to see Man Squad get on the winner's list early, with Sam Doble and Michael Xing (aka the "r8 bois") emerging victorious in the 800m D-Grade Double. The gold would keep flowing later on in the first day, with Doble and Xing teaming up with Patrick Welham and Timothy Crooks to finish first in the 800m C-Grade Four, claiming the event's perpetual trophy with the help of APSM cox Cherylann Biegler.

Not to be outdone, Welham and Crooks also capitalised on their consistent training last year to win gold in the 500m C-Grade Pair, after a scrappy start by the other crews (aka not us - we were perfect) caused the race to be reset.

Notable Man Squad coxswains Matthew Bennett and Aman Sideek also tasted victory over the weekend by steering their respective Masters crews across the line first.

Between winning medals on Lake Moodemere during the day and mingling with the... um... "interesting" locals at the pub at night, Rutherglen was once again a resounding success, and has set the benchmark high for the next few months.

Here's to a successful 2021 Sprint Season, Gentlemen! 🍺🍺

Pictured left to right: Sam Doble, Patrick Welham, Michael Xing, Timothy Crooks

08/01/2021

With Rutherglen this weekend, this week's ̶h̶u̶r̶s̶d̶a̶y̶friday is probably the easiest one I've had to do thus far.

Ladies and gentlemen: Michael Xing.