ARC Update - 1st July 2026
- 58 minutes ago
- 7 min read
In This BUMPER Issue:
President's TED Talk
I’ve written before about the power of intent, and the momentum that comes from simply turning up and doing something. It starts small, but it builds. One becomes two. Two becomes four. Four turns into eight.
We are seeing that across ARC right now.
The Houseboat Mafia went up river for another Long Row.
Crews are stacking premiership points by consistently turning up to race.
Last week's Thursday Night Socials drew more than thirty people for a paddle, a pint, and a parmy.
And a group of 90s-era Comeback Kings are officially back on the Torrens after decades away. (3 rows in 3 weeks is a comeback...)
Enthusiasm is infectious. But exponential growth forever? It's not realistic and is rarely sustainable.
Our Club needs to be around for a long time, not just a good time. So while the momentum is real, the next challenge is simple:
protect what we’ve built, and
keep growing it — sustainably.
How do we do that?
Like a crew that has fired out of the start and is surging on top of the water, the next step is to settle into our work and build our rhythm for the long run. We're not slowing down, but we are setting ourselves up for the long haul.
Behind the rowing metaphor, there is a practical answer, which is to keep doing what we've been doing - with intent, purpose and camaraderie in mind. Turn up, be active and be part of Team ARC - it's the best contribution you can make to our great Club.
Already, we're thinking what ARC's 145th season might look like...
More Port Adelaide & River Murray adventures
A trip to Head of the Yarra in November - we've got 2 boats entered and need to fill the crews!
Coastal rowing - because why not? Let's try something different!
More social events and fundraisers - quiz nights, Xmas party
Learn to Row resumes in August and thru to November - can we get an intermediate squad back up and running?
ARC27 will be in Perth and AMRC27 just announced to be held in Canberra
Coastal rowing - because why not? (who doesn't want to go on a trip to the Sunshine Coast in September!)
Addressing the challenge of the school-to-club transition - could you be our next school-leaver coach?
And possibly, an ARC regatta series on the Torrens!
All that against the backdrop of a significant building project at the Torrens.
It's a big agenda, and it needs a whole Club effort to deliver it! If you share the vision, let's make it happen.
Mitch
ARCs Senior Women Claim Another SA Premiership for 2025-26
At the recent RowingSA Awards Breakfast, ARC was awarded the RowingSA Senior Women's Premiership for the 2025-26 Season!
While Championships are determined by which Club has the fastest crews, the Club Premierships reflects the depth and culture within a Club - where the efforts of every rower over the whole season contribute to the outcome.
Congratulations to all the ARC women who raced and contributed to the 567.75 points for ARC through the season - Mieka Webb, Celia Cowan, Sasha Humble, Belle Townsend, Jess Lobban, Claire Rogers, Ella McKay, Grace Barrera, Rhiannon Sandow, Tamara Bates, Aida Dedic, Emma Venus, Izzy Lease & Petra Mucsi
Along with the Club Premiership, several ARC athletes were recognised individually, including:
Tamara Bates - the inaugural Kate Slatter OAM SA Female Rower of the Year (formerly Female Champion of Champions award)
Sam Stunell - the inaugural Alex Hill OAM SA Male Rower of the Year (formerly Male Champion of Champions award) AND the Jed Altschwager OAM Perpetual Trophy for Champion Male Para Rower.
Celia Cowan - Champion Senior Female (205.75 points!)
Aidan Foran - Champion Junior Male (racing as AHS)
And congratulations to Alex Hill for being recognised with a perpetual trophy in his name - another one!
ARC Athletes Shine at World Cup III in Lucerne
Five of ARC's finest represented Australia at this weekend's World Cup III regatta at the home of world rowing in Lucerne, with fantastic results for all!
Alex Hill and Angus Dawson are the all-ARC Australian Men's Pair for 2026, and they were clearly the dominant crew in Lucerne - attacking from the start and asserting themselves over the field in each of the heat, semi-final and the A-Final to claim the Gold medal!
After a brilliant win in Seville, the Australian Women’s Eight (with Ella Bramwell at four) arrived in Lucerne determined to repeat. They sat second behind Great Britain through the middle thousand, then launched a fierce charge over the final 500 metres. Closing almost a length, they hauled the gap down to less than a canvas, touching the line in silver after a thrilling finish.
Sam Stunell started his 2026 campaign where 2025 finished, but this year, racing in the PR3 Mixed Double Scull with a new partner in Ella Marshall from Banks RC. Two great races in the preliminary and the final, yielding a well-deserved Bronze medal!!!
In the highly competitive Men's Double Scull, Oscar McGuinness, partnered with Nick Blackman (AUBC), brought his trademark tenacity to place 2nd in the B-Final (8th overall, out of 25 boats).
For Oscar, Ella, Alex & Angus - the next races will be on the Bosbaan in Amsterdam in August for the World Championships (weed-free hopefully!), whereas Sam has an extra stop in Duisberg, Germany, where he will be looking to defend his 2025 title in the Under 23 PR3 Men's Single at the U23 World Champs, held from 23-26 July. He'll then re-join the Senior team in Amsterdam after that.
2026-27 Membership Renewals Now Due
Membership renewals for 2026-27 are now open!!!
Additional information:
Due to the delays in this year's renewal process (arising from delays in RowingSA setting registration fees)), we are extending the due date for renewals to Friday 17th July. Please ensure that you renew your membership before this date to continue enjoying the benefits of ARC membership.
We have retired the previous RevSport database and will use the e-commerce capability within our new website - this saves ~$500 year in admin costs. For Life Members, we ask you to complete the membership form so that we have your current contact details on file.
For members who store private boats in the ARC boatsheds, your rack hire fees are also due and can be managed through the Private Boat Storage Form.
If you have any queries or need assistance, please drop us a line at: membership@adelaiderowingclub.com.au
Thank You Volunteers & Donors
Every effort - big or small - makes a difference and contributes to the fabric of our Club.
Many thanks to:
All of our Winter Programme coaches - great to see the programme in action with a positive atmosphere!
Daren Potts - Re-gripping the Women's Eight oars + boat towing for the Long Row
Rahul Mukherjee - Organising the Long Row houseboat for the Houseboat Mafia!
Tom Merrigan - Repairs to the Hunter XI
Claire Rogers - Coaching our LTR graduates on Thursday nights
Chris Greening - Motivating some resting rower's out of retirement...
Alex Silz - Building maintenance
We also extend our thanks to several donors who have made recent contributions to our building project via the ASF.
Please Mind The Barnacles!!!
We're starting to see some ugly damage to the bow-side of various boats due to barnacles on the pontoon at West Lakes. We have raised this with RowingSA, but please take care to keep the boat hulls from rubbing against the pontoon.
A New Addition to the ARC Fleet
We've purchased a new (2nd-hand) Coxless Pair!
The boat is a 2005 Sykes ex-PAC boat with quick-release wing riggers, suitable for ~80kg rowers. We are in process of ordering some scull riggers and getting the ARC pin stripes put on the hull, but it is otherwise ready for use at West Lakes in the near-term.
The name? That will have to wait to be unveiled on Opening Day!
Boats & Oars For Sale
The Committee has decided to sell the following boats & equipment listed below:
Available for inspection at the Torrens Boatshed.
Prices negotiable - come and make an offer. First-in, best-dressed.
We need to free up some space, and so we need pick up and removal from the ARC shed within 2 weeks of sale.
Contact mitch@adelaiderowingclub.com.au if you're interested!
Boat | Class | Description | Price |
Tamar IV | 1x | Howell, mid-90's era, mid-weight, suits 65-80 kg rower - a perfect boat to store at a river shack for casual paddling. | $400 |
Broughton | 1x | Howell, mid-90's era, mid-weight, suits 65-80 kg rower - a perfect boat to store at a river shack for casual paddling. | $400 |
Darling IV | 2x/2- | Sykes, 1994. Racing hull for heavyweight men 90+kg - great stability through the water. Conventional 3-stay riggers - sweep and scull. Fully serviceable with complete steering package. Some minor cosmetic damage due to wear and tear. Can include a pair of sweep oars with the boat. | $800 |
Inman | 2x/2- | Sykes, 1994, re-furbed 2005. Racing hull for heavyweight men 90+kg. Conventional 3-stay riggers - sweep and scull. Fully serviceable with complete steering package. Some minor cosmetic damage to gunwhales and splashboard. Can include a pair of sweep oars with the boat. | $800 |
Sweep Oars | 1x full set of 8x Croker Sweep oars. Mid-901x full set of 8x Croker Sweep oars. Mid-90s era. Fixed length 374cm. Timber handles. Selling as a full set of eight only.s era. Fixed length 374cm. Timber handles. Selling as a full set of eight only. | $200 | |
Sweep Oars | Assorted Croker oars - various models, sides, quantities & condition. Predominantly blue foam handles. | $50/oar |
Clubroom Renovation Project Update & Call for Help
We need some help to make our 2026 Clubroom Renovation Project a reality!
Tax-deductible contributions can by made to the Project via the Australian Sport Foundation campaign here - donate by June 30 to claim the deduction this tax cycle!
Thanks to all those who have contributed so far!
Winter is Here!
Early Notice - AGM set for Sunday 30th August
New Learn to Row Dates Released!
Our next LTR blocks have been released and are available for booking!
Block 3: Sunday 30 Aug, 6, 13, 20 & 27 Sept 2026
Block 4: Sunday 18 & 25 Oct, 1, 8 & 15 Nov 2026
If you know someone who wants to give rowing a go, please refer them to our website!
