The Armidale School's rowers have their bows pointed towards the business end of the season, following the first competition race for many at the King's/PLC Regatta at Sydney International Regatta Centre (SIRC) last Saturday.
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TAS raced in the Schoolboy Coxed Four, Mens' U19 Coxed Four (placing fourth in their heat), the Schoolgirl Single Scull events and the Schoolgirl Four, who achieved a podium finish.
In their race the girls had a strong start and maintained second place behind Kinross Wolaroi for the full 2000m, crossing the line in a time of 7:58:71. It was not only a personal best for a TAS girls' Four over 2000m, but the first time a TAS girls crew had rowed under eight minutes over 2000m.
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"We went into SIRC with a competitive attitude and came out with excitement for the upcoming Schoolgirl Head of the River next month," said girls rowing captain April Draney.
"The girls sustained their efforts the whole race and are overjoyed at our result.
"We are eternally grateful for such amazing support - it's reassuring to know that we don't need fancy facilities and programs to compete and succeed at such a high end."
Rowing co-ordinator Ben MacDougall said despite rainy conditions, little sleep and exertion from the school's swimming championships the day before, all 21 rowers pushed themselves to compete against rowers from across the state.
"This was the first time our rowing squad had the opportunity to race in their respective crews this season, and it was also the first time racing at SIRC for half of our squad," he said.
"Overall, our crews rowed well especially given their inexperience and posted promising times over 2000m.
"But as we move to the pointy end of the season, all our focus will be concentrated on peaking for our Head of the River races."
For the AAGPS Head of the River on 12 March, the boys' First and Second IVs will row together to race in the First VIII race - the first time the school has done so.
TAS will also field a Third IV, with the girls' Four and a single sculler competing at the NSW Schoolgirl Head of the River the following day.
The crews have been training at Malpas Dam and at camps during the school holidays at Grafton and Taree, though without the usual accompanying regattas.
