ARC Update - 15th October 2026
Updated: 3 days ago
In this Issue:
President's TED Talk
This week marks the official start of Adelaide Rowing Club's 145th season.
The season gets underway with two ARC crews taking to the water at Saturday's Head of the Port - RowingSA's first premiership regatta of the year, with crews tackling 4.5km of racing through Port Adelaide. In following weeks, we'll see time trials at West Lakes, the annual pilgrimage to the Bridge for the 3-Mile Handicap, and Round The Island - as well as a few of ARC's NTC rep's racing at The Golden Oar in Canberra.
Then on Sunday afternoon, we'll officially open the season down at the Torrens. Admittedly, this year will take a slightly different vibe to most year's after the news of another lake closure coming through last night precluding us from on-water action . But we will make the most of what is looking to be a spectacular October afternoon with friends, family and refreshments on the balcony!
Sunday morning will also see the fourth and final intake of our 2026 Learn to Row programme commence. With another sold-out course, it's a pleasing reminder that the interest in Club rowing, and in Adelaide Rowing Club, remains as strong as ever. Erica has released some new programme dates for 2027, so if you know someone who wants to give rowing a go, point them at the website!
We're also excited to see the revamped Intermediate Programme taking shape, with a pilot group rowing at West Lakes in recent weeks under the tutelage of Claire Rogers & Rhi Sandow. This is a really important piece for our Club to have and to get right - to build on the connection made through the Learn to Row programme, to transition new rowers into the Club proper. As established members, it is all to easy to forget how difficult and uncertain it can be for new participants to get their head around our Club, especially when they are trying to learn the Sport as well. So I'm really excited to give the heads up that we are about to re-launch this important programme proper very, very soon - stay tuned!
Last week, the team from Thorne Constructions efficiently completed the replacement of the termite-damaged structural beams downstairs, as the first part of the Torrens Renovation Project. After more than 20 years, the familiar yellow Acrow props in the Men's Changeroom are finally gone!!
It's also great to see strong early support for this year's Quiz Night, with almost a quarter of available tables already sold. Beyond just being a fundraising event, events like this form an important role in the social fabric of our Club.
We're currently seeking contributions to the night's prize pool, so if you or your business is in a position to donate a prize - big, small, doesn't matter- please reach out to a Committee Member!
And for those who appreciate a little healthy competition, rumour has it there may be a rather unique keg of craft beer up for grabs on the night.
As we head into the new season, there's a real sense of energy around the Club.
Crews are back on the water, erg's are spinning, the clubhouse is improving, and members continue to contribute their time, skills and enthusiasm to make our Club great.
As one legendary ARC rowing coach used to say in the most fun and simple of ways - "The sun is shining, the bird's are singing. Oh mate, I love my rowing!".
Let's keep getting after it, ARC!
Mitch
Welcome & Thank You
Welcome to the newest members of ARC!:
Mia Chapman
Stella Spalvins
Many thanks to a few folk who have chipped in around the Club recently
Sam Williams & Luke Healy - Stand-in Apprentice Chef's on Thursday Nights
Anne Koch & Phil Mangelsdorf - Organising the 2026 'Hall of Fame' collage boards for the 2026 Nationals and 2026 1st Grade State Champs
All those who have helped re-organise the ergo's and gym for the building works!
Sam Williams - Advertising & selling some of the older boats at the Torrens
Trent Collins - City of Adelaide Sustainability Grant
Nick Miteloudis, Daisy Richards, Igor Zarubin, Nathan Bowden & Tim Santin - Bar volunteering & cleaning
Tom Merrigan - Prepping our new Pair-Double with a polish and pin-striping!
Updates From The Committee
Torrens Boatshed Cleaning Services
The Committee has entered into a new cleaning contract with SJV Cleaning for the Torrens Boatshed. Under the new arrangement, both the upstairs function room and the downstairs changerooms and amenities will receive scheduled fortnightly cleaning, with additional cleaning services available between functions as required.
As part of this change, the Club's separate hygiene services contract will be phased out and incorporated into the new cleaning arrangement, providing a more streamlined and consistent approach to maintaining our facilities.
We are confident this arrangement will deliver a cleaner, more consistently maintained facility for members and guests, while reducing reliance on volunteer and ad hoc cleaning efforts.
A special thank you to Tim Santin for driving this initiative and for the significant time and effort he has contributed over many years in undertaking function cleaning duties.
City of Adelaide Sustainability Grant Received
We received a $1,000 grant from Council to retrospectively go towards the cost of the battery system that was installed at the Torrens Shed earlier this year. Many thanks to Trent Collins for putting the application together!!
Help Needed - Assistant Treasurer
We are looking for an Assistant Treasurer to help with book-keeping and the accounts - if you know of someone with a background in basic accounting and book-keeping (e.g. uni/TAFE student) and who is looking for a part-time role, please let us know. A small honorarium is available for this role, and we use the Xero accounting system.
Regatta Volunteering Roster - for all competitive members
RowingSA have released their roster for clubs to provide regatta volunteers. We will be communicating details shortly, but we will be moving towards a roster system to fulfil ARC's share of commitments.
All competitive members (based in Adelaide) can expect to be rostered on for a morning or afternoon throughout the season.
It will be your responsibility to either perform the duty, swap with somebody, or arrange a fill-in.
Squad Training Schedules
Check WhatsApp chat groups from the latest plans as things are always subject to change!
Mornings | Afternoons / Evenings | |
Mon | ||
Tues | Senior 4-/4x Battle Paddle 5:30am @ WL | Masters & Socials ErgSquad 5:45pm @ Torrens (Heja) |
Wed | Torrens ErgSquad 6:30am @ Torrens | |
Thurs | Under 21 Small Boats 5:30am @ WL | Thursday Night Socials 6pm @ Torrens |
Fri | Big Boat Fridays 5:30am @ WL | |
Sat | Regattas - Let's get racing!!! | |
Sun | Under 21 Small Boats 7am @ WL Masters & Socials 7:30am @ WL (Heja) Intermediates 7am @ WL Learn to Row 9am @ Torrens | |
Reminders:
West Lakes course hours 0600-2000hrs Mon-Sat & 0700-2000 Sunday & P/Hols
Two lights (bow & stern) are required during low-light conditions - no lights, no rowing.
Let's try to keep noise within the boat and only to what's necessary, to avoid complaints from resident's. Use radios for boat-to-beach chat and keep the cox-box volume to the minimum!
New Learn to Row Dates in 2027
Having sold out four programmes in 2026, we've release new dates for our 2027 Learn to Row program!
Block 1 2027 -
Block 2 2027 -
All the details are here - Learn to Row | Adelaide Rowing Club
RowingSA Messages
NEW - Rowing Australia Coxswain Accreditation - online course available here
Noise complaints from West Lakes resident's - please be mindful of our neighbours and keep noise to a minimum.
Unfortunately, one of ARC's rowdy Master's Men's crews did feature prominently within a Resident's complaint...
2027 State Team Nominations are Open (for all teams)
Athletes & Coxswain Nominations
Interstate Regatta - close 5pm, 13 November 2026
Oceania U22 Regatta - close 5pm, 13 November 2026
Pathway State Team - close 5pm, 13 November 2026
Masters State Team - close 11:59pm, 29 January 2027
Coach Expressions of Interests - close 26 October 2026
Selector & Ombudsman Expressions of Interest - close 26 October 2026
Don't Miss These Upcoming ARC Events !!!
Are YOU Ready to Race in Season 2026-27?
Full Active & Competitive Rego
You need to hold Full Active ARC membership & a competitive RowingSA registration to be entered in regattas - see the options here.
To upgrade, drop us an email with what category you need. We'll send you a manual invoice for the cost difference, and process the upgrade once paid.
RowingSA Waiver
Your registration doesn't take effect & we cannot enter you, until you agree to the waiver at the start of each season! Please check your email for the link to review and agree to the terms.
Can't find the email? Let us know and we can re-send it to you!
A Refresh on the Entry Process for SA Regatta's
Wed 10 days out - Cut-off for new rego's & upgrades - strict "No Pay, No Play" policy applies.
Sat 7 days out - ARC entries to Claire Rogers. Crews should be fully named, no place-holders.
9am Mon - Entries close in RowingManager.
4pm Mon - Preliminary Draw published by RowingSA
9am Wed - Withdrawal Period Close - scratchings after this may incur RowingSA fine.
4pm Wed - Final Draw published
Saturday - Regatta Day
Please get organised early and avoid leaving things to the last minute! If you have any issues or queries, please email membership@adelaiderowingclub.com.au.
Need an ARC Zooty? Check out the stock online. If we don't have your size in stock, email info@adelaiderowingclub.com.au as we might have some end-of-line stock that isn't listed.
