YOUTH ROWING

Mercantile Rowing Club offers a comprehensive men’s and women’s youth program. We pride ourselves in offering the opportunity for our athletes to develop skills in both small and big boats.

It is the club’s policy that all Youth athletes learn to scull at some stage in their youth period which prepares them for the demands of Senior B and club rowing after they leave the Youth ranks. Youth rowing is not a mean’s to itself, more another stage in the athlete’s development. As an elite club, Mercantile focuses more attention on Senior B level participation rather than purely youth events. This has been evidenced by many of our athletes who have graduated to Australian Senior B selection, yet have not made a State youth team. That is not to say that State youth selection is not important, it is, with Mercantile providing four members of the Victorian Men’s Youth Eight at the national championships. This year Mercantile was the dominant force in the Men’s Youth eight. Mercantile Youth athletes also performed well for the club in the Victorian Senior Eights championships with the winning Men’s eight having four youth athletes on board and the Women’s Eight having 3 youth athletes in its line up. This Women’s Eight went on to win the National Championships in commanding fashion with 2 youth athletes on board.

At Mercantile we pride ourselves in having coaches to cover all the needs of athletes and their skill requirements.

Over winter, please feel free to come down on a Saturday morning to join in for a row with our senior athletes and have breakfast afterwards prepared by our parents supporter group. This is a very informal way of getting to know us, and we getting to know you. Give Alastair Isherwood a call on 0437 361 140 on the Friday before and we will guarantee you a row.


CLUB ROWING

Mercantile has rowing for all levels of participation. The Men’s and Women’s Club program allows rowers the opportunity to train 3-4 times a week and participate in Intermediate level races throughout Victoria. Our Men’s Intermediate Eight won the Victorian Championships this year which was a fantastic achievement for these super “Clubbies”.

The club offers a comprehensive program for both Men and Women, with David Fraumano coaching the Men, and Pete Woolard coaching the Women. Both these coaches have a lot of experience and offer a fun, yet challenging environment to train and compete.

For more information please contact Alastair Isherwood on 0437 361 140


VETERAN ROWING
THE INEBRI VIII

Mercantile has a flourishing male veteran rowing scene with a number of mainly fifty plus men of very varied rowing skill enjoying a paddle informally through to competition in the veteran regattas.The level that you would like to participate in is totally up to you and the availability of others to form a crew.
Thursday night is the hub of activity with oarsmen meeting around 6pm and then enjoying a beer in the bar after the row. Our oldest athlete is in his early 70's and the youngest mid 40's. Sunday morning is another popular gathering.
Although this group is male we would love to encourage and form an equivalent ladies group, but it has not happened yet. If you are interested we would love to hear from you.
We do not teach people to row so it is very important that you have the basic skills, be reasonably fit and able to swim at least 50 meters.
If you are a traveler we would welcome you joining our group whilst in Melbourne so do not hesitate to get in touch.