Hi [[FIRST_NAME]],

If you're having trouble viewing this in your Email app, head here to read it online.

Our rowing community have had a busy few weeks, catch up here. 

In this edition of Oar Talk...

• Rower of the Year Awards
• Beach Sprint Australian Team 
• Beach Sprint Dates
• Upcoming PSA Regattas
• Forum Dates
• FREE Club/Coach Development Workshops
• Understanding Heart Health
• Good Sport Nominations
• Female Athlete Study, Age: 18-40
• Centre for Wellbeing Science

Get Involved with Oar Talk:

• Do you have a rowing photo you want to feature as the cover photo? Send it through to memberservices@rowingwa.asn.au!
• Do you want to write a guest article for the newsletter? It could be an opinion piece or a story from the community. Pick a topic and let us know you're keen - memberservices@rowingwa.asn.au. We want to highlight the stories and perspectives of the community!!

Rowing WA’s Rower of the Year Awards

Celebrating Excellence with a Dash of Sparkle

On October 24, the Royal Perth Yacht Club played host to one of the most anticipated evenings on the rowing calendar – the Rowing WA Rower of the Year Awards. This annual celebration brought together athletes, coaches, Boat Race Officials (BROs), volunteers, and clubs to honour their remarkable contributions to rowing in Western Australia.

Rowing WA extends its deepest gratitude to the entire community – for making this event and the season unforgettable. Your dedication ensures that rowing in WA not only thrives but inspires future generations. Here’s to another year of success, camaraderie, and pushing boundaries. 

Click here for the full details, award winners and photos from the evening.

Rowing Australia's Beach Sprint Team Selections

WA Athletes Set for the World Stage of Coastal Beach Sprints

Beach Sprint Rowing, flat-water rowing’s wilder cousin, has exploded in popularity in recent years, combining speed, surf, and serious skill. We’re thrilled to announce that two incredible WA athletes have been selected to represent Australia this November in the international Beach Sprint competitions!

• Blake Whyatt
  Competing in the Coastal Mixed Double Sculls
  📍 Antalya, Turkey: 2025 World Rowing Beach Sprint Championships - 6–9 November

• Oceane Jeannerat
  Competing in theU19 Coastal Women’s Solo
  📍 Barbados: 2025 Commonwealth Rowing Association Beach Sprint Championships - 21–23 November

These athletes are not just racing — they’re making history. Their selection is a testament to the talent, dedication and passion, brewing right here in WA’s coastal rowing community.

A huge congratulations to Blake and Oceane! Your hard work and commitment have earned you a place on the world stage, and we couldn’t be prouder. We're behind you all the way! 

Yeah WA!!                         

Coastal Beach Rowing Season Kicks Off in Perth

Sprint into Summer

Perth’s coastline is about to come alive with the adrenaline-pumping excitement of the Coastal Beach Sprint Season, a thrilling new chapter in Australian rowing that’s making waves globally — now officially recognised as an Olympic sport!

Whether you're a seasoned rower or just curious to dip your toes into the action, this season promises fun, exhilaration, and unforgettable beachside vibes. It’s the perfect way to spend a day outdoors.

Why Be There??

• It’s fast. It’s wild. It’s Olympic - Coastal beach sprint rowing is unlike anything you’ve seen — a dynamic mix of running, rowing, and wave navigation.

• A great day out for all ages - Bring your friends, family, and sunscreen. Enjoy the races, bring your picnic and soak up the summer vibes.

• Be part of history - With its new Olympic status, this sport is on the rise. Come witness the future of rowing — right here on our beaches.

🗓️ Dates for the Diary:

• Come and Try Day – 9 November
  Ever wondered what beach sprint rowing feels like? This is your chance to jump in and give it a go — no experience needed!

• Regatta #1 ~16 November
  The first official showdown of the season. Expect some fun competition and plenty of beachside energy.

• Regatta #2 ~ 14 December
  Just before the holidays, this regatta will bring some festive vibes and great racing, with athletes getting more comfortable with their beach sprints. 

• State Championships ~ 28-29 January
  The grand finale! The best of the best will battle it out for state glory in a two-day spectacle of speed, skill, and determination.

The 2025–2026 PSA Season is Here

Ready, Steady, Row!

📅 Date: Saturday, 1 November 2025
⏰ Time: Racing kicks off at 9:00 AM
📍 Location: From Canning Bridge, finishing at Aquinas College

The boys are primed for action in a 3500m heads race, starting at Canning and powering up the course to Aquinas.

This regatta marks the first race of an exciting season ahead – expect fierce competition, strong finishes, and plenty of rowing spirit.

For details on the draw, course map and race day results, click here.

Good luck to all the crews! 

2025 RWA Athlete Forums

Dates for the Diary

Rowing WA Athlete Forum dates and registration links:

• All Schools: 30 October | 18:30 – 20:00
• Pennants: 10 November | 18:30 – 20:00
• Masters: 20 November | 18:30 – 20:00

These forums are a vital opportunity for clubs to engage with Rowing WA, review the past season from the survey results, and collaborate on building an even better season ahead.

✅ Reminder: Ensure your club has a representative present at each forum to share insights and contribute to the discussion.

Together, we make rowing better!

Club Development Spring Series

Three Sessions to Go

These sessions are designed to support the personal and professional development of coaches, coxes, volunteers, and club leaders. The sessions are hosted in-person and online and offer practical insights, expert-led discussions, and networking opportunities. Find out more below! Registration is essential.

COMING UP...

• Disability & Inclusion Workshop - 12 November: “Rowing for all — inclusion starts with understanding" - Register
• RevSPORT Optimisation Workshop - 13 November: "We love seeing our platform simplify and improve the lives of club people" - Register
• Attain, Retain & Maintain Volunteers - 19 November:"Nurture your volunteer culture for longevity" Register

Slides and recordings from the first two sessions can be found here.

Understanding Heart Health

A Study on Atrial Fibrillation

Rowing has long been heralded as one of the most physically demanding and physiologically beneficial sports. With its intense aerobic demand and full-body coordination, rowing builds cardiovascular strength, endurance and resilience like few other disciplines.

It’s also a sport that attracts driven individuals who thrive on high performance and longevity, often training with unwavering dedication well into their later years. However, as researchers look more closely at the effects of lifelong endurance training, new findings are reshaping our understanding of the athlete’s heart, and the unique rhythms that come with it.

Read more about this issue on the Rowing Australia website.

Find some 'Health Heart Guidelines' on our website.

Good Sports Awards 2025

Nominations Open Now

Get your nomination in before 11.59pm AEDT Monday 10 November for your chance to win the ultimate trophy and up to $2000 cash for your club.   

Do you have a champion volunteer who lives and breathes the Good Sports ethos, helping to reduce harm from alcohol and other drugs? This is your chance to give them some special recognition by nominating them for Volunteer of the Year. Or perhaps your club has implemented safe transport practices to reduce the risk of drink driving, making sure everyone arrives home safe and sound? Nominate now for the Safe Transport Award.

Read more about the categories and prizes, find nomination tips or get in touch with your Good Sports contact for support in putting together a winning nomination. Celebrate your best today. 

Nominate here!

Female Athlete Survey

Investigating Iron Absorption Across the Menstrual Cycle in Female Athletes

A research study conducted by WAIS and UWA is currently seeking female athletes aged 18–40 to participate. The study is looking for athletes who are interested in learning more about their iron levels and menstrual cycle, and gaining insight into strategies to better manage their iron levels.  This information is particularly valuable given the prevalence of iron deficiency, low energy availability, and REDs among female athletes. 

Participation includes:

• 2 x testing sessions over one menstrual cycle
• 2 x free blood tests to measure iron levels
• Training load monitoring
• Ovulation test kit to use at home

Click here for a link to the information flyer.

Please contact Caitlin at cattwell@wais.org.au with any questions or for further information. 

Build a Personalised Performance Plan

Discover Your Top Mental Skills for Performance

Are you 18–30 years of age and interested in developing your mental skills for performance? The Centre for Wellbeing Science (University of Melbourne) is offering you the opportunity to receive a personal performance profile that highlights the mental skills and practices that you are strongest in, and the ones that you could develop further. 

You can access the questionnaire and find out more about the project (University of Melbourne ethics approval) via this link.