September has been a month of disciplined graft for the High Performance Squad — the kind of work that doesn’t make headlines, but sets up a racing season with intent. With base training continuing to form the backbone of our program, the squad has embraced the grind with maturity, consistency and quiet determination.
Carrum Continues to Shape Us
Our weekly sessions at Carrum have become a key anchor in our program, offering both opportunity and challenge. Crisp mornings and flat water have provided ideal conditions for technical refinement, while the occasional shift in wind or tide has demanded resilience and adaptability. The competitive spirit across crews has been building week by week, fuelling both cohesion and healthy rivalry.
Testing Block Delivers Momentum
In-house testing has been a major focus, with both the 30r20 and 5km erg assessments generating strong energy within the squad. A significant number of athletes recorded personal bests — a clear indication that the investment across winter has translated into measurable progress. These results have boosted confidence and reaffirmed that our trajectory is trending in the right direction.
Growth from Within
We’ve been pleased to welcome several recent school-leaver athletes into training sessions over the school holidays. Their enthusiasm, work rate and eagerness to integrate have lifted the training environment and strengthened depth heading into the first selection events.
Eyes Forward – October Campaign
With the training foundation set, the group now shifts focus toward performance execution.
Key early-season hit-outs include:
- Kand Challenge Cup – early October
- State Time Trial 1 – following weekend
These events will provide early indicators of speed and combinations as we enter the competitive phase of the season.
The mood in the squad is one of quiet confidence — built not on hype, but on the steady rhythm of hard work done well.
Jordan Roberts – Athlete/General Committee
Mid-Performance Squad Report
The Middies hit the water in style this month with their first major outing of the season at the Head of the Barwon, delivering a series of confident and exciting performances across multiple boat classes.
Race Highlights
Open Women’s Double (2x)
Freya Axten and Lindsay Calvert stormed to victory in the open double, winning in scintillating form and setting the tone for the rest of the squad.
Strong Return in the Double
A commendable return to racing from Amy Florance and Ann-Elen Pinneke, who showed promising form as they rebuild early in the season.
Women’s Coxed Four (4+)
The crew of Jesse Rawolle, Mia Harrison, Zoe Korr, Izzy Combes, and Romy Mimko powered through the field to win the 4+, charging past several quads over the 4km course and demonstrating serious intent for the season ahead.
Women’s Single (1x)
Romy Mimko backed up superbly, taking out the C-grade single and clocking the second-fastest women’s single time of the day — a fantastic effort in back-to-back racing.
Eyes Forward – National Club Omnium, Canberra
With confidence high, the squad now turns their focus to representing Mercantile at the National Club Omnium on Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra — a fast-emerging highlight on the club racing calendar.
Peter Somerville – Mid-Performance Coach
