A CHANCE to row a boat gently down the Hopkins River this weekend will hopefully equate to new members for the City of Warrnambool Rowing Club.
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The club’s annual come and try day will be held between 8.30am and 10.30am on Saturday.
Spokeswoman Susan Finnigan said the club, based alongside Proudfoot’s boathouse, would throw open the doors to anyone interested in the sport.
“People will get the chance to come down and have a look at the boats, have a run on the ergo machine to learn the correct technique and then if the weather permits, head out on the water with one of our experienced rowers,” Finnigan said.
“There is also the opportunity for further learn-to-row sessions for anyone who enjoys what they experience on the day.
“We hope that we might get a couple of new members out of it, but really the aim is to introduce people to the sport.”
Finnigan said new members could row socially, or compete in regattas.
She said club rowers were training for the annual Head of the Yarra race in November, which the City of Warrnambool crew will race in honour of club life member Bob Stephenson, who passed away earlier this year.
“Bob embodied what it was to be a life member — he gave a lifetime of service to the club and helped revive it in the 1970s,” she said.
“Later in life when he was living in Lyndoch, he would come down to club meetings and keep a close eye on everyone training along the river.
“It will be our honour to row in his memory this year, everyone has fond memories of him.”
Finnigan said the club had a full crew for the Head of the Yarra, but were open to entering another crew if need be.
Finnigan said David Church was awarded life membership at the club’s annual meeting.
“Clive Wooster nominated David for life membership and it was endorsed unanimously,” she said.
“David has rowed with the club for many years and for the last 10 years has been on the club’s executive and is current club secretary.”