VISION
Our vision is to take rowing to places it has never been.
MISSION STATEMENT
We aim to provide quality coaching and equipment to
every standard of rower in the wider community.
Participation is the key and we aim to please!
About L2R
Matt Wilson
Matt Wilson began teaching people to row at Melbourne Rowing Club (MRC) back in 1998 were he was the clubs (MRC) “Champion Oarsman – 1998″, Rowing Victoria’s “Rower of the Year – 1998″ and the clubs (MRC) “Coach of the Year” 1999. In 1999 Matt along with his double scull partner Mark Dusting took home a Bronze Medal at the Australian University Rowing Championships representing Deakin University. (Gold – Shane Broad, Randall Baker, Tas Uni) (Silver – Bo Hansen, Sinclair Taylor, UTS) At the 2000 Victorian State Rowing Championships Matt and Mark again in the double scull finished second to Peter Antonie and Craig Jones. In doing so they defeated home the defending champions from St. George RC. Since then he has taught over 1000 individuals and founded Wilsons learn2row to give rowers greater opportunities to learn with qualified instructors and quality equipment.
In November 2001 Matt Wilson commenced as Director of Rowing at Genazzano FCJ College. At the time the school rowing program had 70 rowers and had failed to win a single title at the 2001 Head of the Schoolgirls Regatta held on the Barwon River in March.
Six years later in 2007 Matt would resign from the position with the school being evicted from Hawthorn Rowing Club, left without a shed to train from for the 2008 season. Genazzano Rowing had grown over that six year period to have 126 competitive schoolgirls winning 9 HOSG Titles in both 2006 & 2007. The only year that Matt coached the Senior 1sts was in his final year 2007, when the crew of Harriet Chesterfield, Nicola Daniel, Laura Butler, Steph Radford and Emily O’Brien received the Bronze medal at the Australian Rowing Championships, behind Firbank Grammar and a crew from the Western Australian Institute of Sport. The crew which comprised three Year 11 students would be narrowly defeated by Firbank a week later at the HOSG regatta. However all would return the following year to clean up as Year 12 students.
In 2008 Matt would embark on a new challenge at Loreto Toorak “Mandeville Hall”. A “maternity leave” position which was limited to one season. During that season the Year 9 crews would dominate regatta’s and at the 2008 HOSG Regatta Year 9 crews (Div 1-5) would go on to finish either 1st or 2nd in their finals. 2009 would present another great challenge taking on the position as Director of Rowing at Ruyton Girls School in Kew. In the schools 17 year history of competing at the HOSG Regatta they had won a total of 5 Titles. But the averages for Ruyton would change significantly in 2009 with 3 Year 9 crews winning HOSG Titles taking the schools all-time tally to 8.
During this same period Matt founded the MAD Regatta’s which are now hosted by Genazzano FCJ College, Ruyton Girls School and Korowa Girls School providing opportunities for rowing families and their friends to give this great sport a go!
The Maiden Voyage
The “learn2row.com.au” (the boat) had its maiden voyage on the Yarra River on Tuesday March 8th 2005.
Under the guidance of Matt, the crew of Karen Saunders, Robyn Daniel, Alison Weber and Trish Dvorscek set off after a small glass of champagne in absolutely perfect rowing conditions.
Most of our participants have commenced via our beginner courses or have been introduced to the sport via the numerous “MAD Regatta’s” founded by our organisation or the “Foot of the River” regatta.
Rowing is a great social activity, and all participants have a lot of fun.
Coaching
All of our coaches are Australian Coaching Council / Rowing Australia qualified and provide excellent tips on improving your crews rhythm, balance, contrast and boat speed.
We love teaching first timers who have never been in a boat before and seeing their passion for the sport grow as they improve each week.
We gaurantee quality equipment and a qualified coach at every session.
We specialise in quad scull rowing (2 oars per person) as it is a more natural and healthier way to row because it works both sides of the body equally, unlike sweep rowing (1 oar per person) which tends to develop one side of the body.
We are well aware that not everyone wants to go fast so our coaches always ask what it is that your crew is hoping to achieve whilst out on the water.
Participation is the key and we aim to please.
We have a course on offer that’s perfect for you and your friends so check out the BOOKING SHEETS on the home page. If by chance we don’t, please contact us and we’ll do our best to meet your needs.
Get on the blower right now and round up your crew!
Call Matt for more info on 0419 380 307
Equipment
Our first boat was built in February 2005. Christened the “learn2row.com.au”, it was constructed by PRIME BOATS Australia in Geelong.
The double vacuumed carbon hull is both light and stiff, providing great speed through the water, weighing in at only 55kg.
The stainless alloy wing riggers further enhance the boat’s performance, making it the best boat of its type on the market.
All partcipants have commented on how fantastic it is to row in. Gliding across the water never felt so good.
The boat is sectioned (2 pieces) which makes storage and transport simple. No matter where you live, if a suitable stretch of water is nearby we’ll be able to take you rowing.
THE OARS
We only use CROKER OARS.
An Australian Made and Australian Owned Company.
These world famous oars have won numerous World and Olympic Championship medals for many years and are proof that you don’t need to go overseas to find a better product.
Croker Oars are regarded by many of the top international rowing nations as the best oars available on the market.
Our most famous participant
When the “General” talks you’d better listen to him!
Even the great Finnish racing driver MIKA HAKKINEN (2 time World Formula One Champion) learnt to row on the Yarra River, under the guidance of Matt Wilson. This was back in March 2001 prior to his final assualt on the Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park.
Rowing with his manager Didier Coton and his personal trainer (who has been with him since the crash that nearly took his life), the crew (with Matt in bow seat) didn’t take long to get the hang of it.
Matt says that even the world champion was a bit nervous when he first got into the boat, but settled in quickly once he realised there was little chance of going for a swim.
Mika used the session to get rid of the jet lag from his long flight. He wanted a change from going to the gym.
Feedback
If you are happy with our services we ask that you tell your friends.
If your not happy, we ask that you tell us.
We appreciate all feedback and ideas and you can notify us of your thoughts by emailing us at learn2row@optusnet.com.au
“a Sunday morning row followed by breakfast in Richmond justifies the early morning and helps clear the hangover”.
Alan A“Healthy exercise, incisive instruction, state of the art boat, and the joy of team work in a magnificent river setting that few people in this city get to see. It would have to be good to get 4 blokes out of bed every Sunday morning at 7am….and it is!”
Jack C“Enjoying the rowing – earnt my first blisters last Saturday”
Susie S“Social rowing is a fabulous opportunity to get out on the water with some friends and have a great time while staying fit”
Nic D“Can’t believe the extra energy I have after only 3 weeks of Social Rowing.”
Belinda B“I’ve loved learning to row so much, …the calm waters, the mist rising from the river, why wouldn’t you be addicted? You’ve got me hooked!”
Anita P“A great fun time for family bonding.”
Andrew E“Matt having been involved in ‘Mad Regattas’ for several years I thought we had a handle on rowing!! However I am amazed at how far you have taken us since starting the ‘social’ rowing program. Its great, the smoother we get… the more enjoyable it has become.”
Sandy L“Through social rowing I have come to learn that rowing is truly ‘brains over brawn’. It gives me the opportunity to know what my daughter has learned in her school rowing programme. A great sport. I would recommend social rowing to all rowing parents”.
Peter S“I love social rowing on Sunday mornings. Rowing is a new sport for me, which I find very challenging mentally, a great physical workout, a chance to catch up with friends and great fun. It’s also shown me Melbourne from a completely new perspective, from the river, which has been beautiful through summer and autumn. I want to continue through the winter months, so Matt, just wondering about the heating arrangements”.
Viv N“Forget the gym and the boring ergo, rowing in the “learn2row” is the way to go. Social rowing is great – it’s easier than the gym, less frustrating than golf and more fun and entertaining than any other fitness endeavour !!”
Robyn D“I had always longed to row on the Yarra River, but I had no experience or opportunity; Learn2Row changed all of that. Under the patient guidance of rowing coach, Matt, I have now learned to row and I belong to a great crew. We, four girls row once a week and have a great workout, while listening to the bellbirds!
Best of all, we have sooo much fun…
Matt, thank you so much for the opportunity”
Jacinta P“Social rowing is a great way to start the day, along with the ducks, bellbirds and mist on the water! It has been the most relaxing way to exercise – get fit and unwind all in one.
Jenny S