State titles an entree before GPS rowing glory
BEFORE they chase GPS rowing glory, The Southport School will first look to trump their Queensland counterparts when the 2020 Queensland State Championships Regatta kicks off today.
The TSS rowing squad have spent the past few days at a rowing camp in Murwillumbah and will make the journey north to compete against fellow GPS schools in the quest for state bragging rights before the school rowing season kicks off in early February.
TSS director of rowing Daniel Trollope said the squad were in good shape ahead of their tilt at state pride.
“They are training well and have managed to keep a high level of fitness over the Christmas holiday period,” he said.
“I would like to think a number of our rowers will do well on the weekend. We have a great coaching staff here at TSS and the race experience is always invaluable. Top-three finishes are a bonus.”
Olympic rowing gold medallist Duncan Free has returned to coach alongside First VIII coach Cameron Kennedy.
“They had a great session (yesterday morning) and rowed really well so you can only comment on their most recent performance,” Trollope said.
TSS is also taking a number of their younger rowers to allow them the chance to race at the state titles, while Free is also fielding a contingent of Griffith crews as part of his role at Griffith’s Sports College.
The championship regatta runs from today until Sunday at the Queensland State Rowing Centre at Wyaralong Dam near Beaudesert.