Rowing update BDSSS 2013

Rowing update for Parents of School Rowing students.

Yesterday our reps attended the BDSSS meeting where discussions were held about the upcoming Head of the River series.

Information was given that the Burnett River is currently not safe for our rowers to be on. 

It was suggested that all training be done at Bucca. 

We stated that this was not a viable option as there would be 250+ rowers this year and to try to train on week-ends as well as getting boats to & from was not possible.

Suggestions were made that the HOR still go ahead on the dates set, April 21, May 5 & May 19. 

St Luke's, Shalom and Bundaberg High representatives felt that these dates are out of the question.

Our Number one priority is the safety of the children and no-one knows when all the testing will be able to be done at the Burnett or Bucca to guarantee this.

There are also all the repairs that are required to be done at Bundaberg & Bucca before training can start & regattas can be held.

Our view is that we felt that we need to give consideration to our families that have suffered either with their homes, businesses or their families and how hard it has been and will be in the coming months for things to return to normal. 

Our representatives felt that we should run the HOR series in Terms 2 & 3 and by then families hopefully would be able to handle not only the financial commitment to rowing but all the help our students need in coaching, taking them & equipment to training & regattas and all the help that is required by parents in running the regattas.

We suggested we have the 2 Lead-up Regattas late 2nd term & early 3rd term with the HOR early September.  There is a Club Regatta on the 17/18 August & State Titles 21/22/23 Sept. 

By having it in between, hopefully Bucca will be finished and it gives our new rowers more experience

in training & regattas.

No definite decision has been made yet as to when Rowing will be on in 2013.

Thanks

Pam Schmeider, St Luke's Rowing Coordinator.