Stellenbosch University’s Maties Rowing Club recently rowed their way to fifth place overall in the Rand Merchant Bank Universities’ Boat Race.
This is according to Tim Martin, Maties Rowing men’s team captain.
The boat race takes place annually on the Kowie River in Port Alfred, explained Erin Marsberg, a former rower and rowing enthusiast.
“It’s where the best rowers in our country [at university level] get together and race every year,” she said.
This year’s boat race was held from 14 September to 17 September, according to the University Sport South Africa website.
The start of a boat race is often the most important, said Tim Martin, Maties Rowing men’s team captain. In the men’s final against the University of the Witwatersrand, Maties managed to pull ahead at the beginning of the race and maintain it until the end, he stated. PHOTO: Jamie Venter
An equal rowing field
This year was the first time that the men’s and women’s teams rowed the same distance, according to Caileigh-Rose Forsyth, Maties Rowing women’s team captain.
“I think this change is great for women’s rowing in South Africa, as well as overall equality within the sport,” said Forsyth. “It felt great to row the full distance.”
Both the men’s and women’s teams finished in fifth place in their race on 15 September, resulting in both teams racing against the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) in the final on 17 September, explained Forsyth.
“Fortunately, both men and women won in the finals, which was awesome,” said Forsyth. Their win over Wits secured a final position of fifth place.
The Maties Rowing teams have a weekly training program, with rowing machines during the week and a water session on the weekend, according to Tim Martin, Maties Rowing men’s team captain. The rowing machines are important for developing individual strength, explained Martin. PHOTO: Connor Cogill
Bumps in the (row)d
There were some obstacles for Maties Rowing which hindered the club from training to their full potential, according to Martin.
The team does not have an official coach, for example, said Martin. “So, for the most part, we manage and coach ourselves.”
The team also struggled to get to Eikenhof Dam to train, as it is an hour’s drive from Stellenbosch, which costs time and money, he stated. Funding could help the club “improve massively”, he added.
“That being said, fifth place is quite good, and we were significantly faster than last year, so hopefully we can keep improving,” said Martin.
Water training sessions are the most important, because this is “where the crew learns to row together”, according to Tim Martin, Maties Rowing men’s team captain. VIDEO: Jamie Venter
Rowing forward
The main hope for Maties Rowing is for the club to keep growing, said Martin.
“Currently we are making good progress on that front […] and hopefully we can keep going,” he said.
“I’m already excited to get back on the Kowie [River] next year,” said Forsyth.