Balmain Rowing Club held a christening for 5 new additions to the club’s fleet of boats on Sunday, including two single sculls that were very generously donated by Antony Lighten and Tim Wainman.
The three single sculls that were purchased by the club were direct replacements of the SJ Porter, Joe Andreoli and JB Sharp, Race 1 single sculls that were sold earlier in the year. The newer versions were again named after three of the people who made a significant contribution to the club in the early to middle part of the last century. The new boats are now known as the SJ Porter II, Joe Andreoli II and JB Sharp II.
These boats are primarily intended to be used to introduce new, junior members to the sport, while serving an additional purpose of being used as training boats for regular club members. It was only fitting that Sarah Thomas Broome, one of the club’s junior members and a newcomer to the sport over the past 2 years, christened the JB Sharp II scull.
Peter Hupfauf, Honorary Boatmaster at Balmain Rowing Club, had the honour of cracking open the champagne over the bow of the SJ Porter II, while two youth members, James Waldersee and Alex Bentley shared the honour of christening the Joe Andreoli II.
Antony Lighten, who suffered an injury which ended his active rowing career, kindly donated his Janousek single scull to the club. The intention for the use of this boat is that it be used as a racing boat for the club’s most competitive scullers.
Tim Wainman, a Rowing Australia umpire and one of the more experienced boat race officials within both NSW and Australian rowing, also kindly donated his single scull which he previously used to paddle along the Lane Cove River. The boat, built by Life Member, Allen Turner, is expected to be used by beginner members as a means of introducing them to the sport.
The christening capped off a very busy day for Balmain Rowing Club members, who earlier in the morning spent around 4 hours at a working bee on the club’s fleet of boats. Captain, Liam James, acknowledged that it was time to devote some special attention to the club’s boats. “The working bee has been needed for some time as we urgently need to give our fleet some TLC (tender, loving care),” he said. “Peter (Hupfauf – Boatmaster), James (Waldersee – Vice Captain) and I have all noticed that over the course of this season the condition of the boats - both racing level and training boats - has deteriorated due to a simple lack of attention and care. As we move closer to the National Championships and - for many more people - the Edward Trickett Club Grade Championships, it is really important that we make sure that all the boats are in the best condition possible both for training and racing.”
Hupfauf was very pleased at the number of members who assisted with the work on the weekend. “I was nearly overwhelmed by the really good turn out of people and the great spirit that I have encountered from everyone on Sunday,” he said.
