IT has been a big month for the Central Tablelands Rowing Club as its members not only won medals, but tried their hand at new events at the Newcastle and Hunter Valley Regattas.

The team had a rare opportunity to take part in mixed events, letting them try out not only something new, but get in extra practice before the bigger meetings arrive this summer.

However, it was in the individual races where the local rowers impressed most.

“They’re just starting to get into things. This meeting [Newcastle] was good for us because there were races where our boys and girls could compete together. It’s around two more weeks before the Sydney season really begins,” team coach Joe Martin said.

“They were really pleasing there like in our under 15s cox quads two of those kids are still in Year Six ... they managed third in that and that was great to see.”

At Newcastle Ashleigh Brooking did it easy in the women’s D grade single scull, finishing just under eight seconds clear of her nearest rival.

In the same grade of single scull, Aaron Simmons was pushed the whole way over the 1,000 metres distance. Still, he took the win by 2.5 seconds. 

Morgan Brooking was on the wrong side of a similar margin in the following race to be runner-up.

Ben Le Breton won his event by a big margin, while Nick Le Breton encountered a stronger field and was third in his race with a near identical time.

Samantha Pett managed to sneak in a win in the under 16s single scull.

Just under half the Newcastle program then had to be abandoned due to the strong winds and heat. 

However, it made the Central Tablelands rowers keen to shine in the Hunter Valley Regatta the following day.

Both events were held at the Berry Park complex.

A win almost came early for the team in the mixed quad scull when the Central Tablelands entry finished half a second shy of winners Manning River.

Ashleigh Brooking and Pett then posted a thrilling win over 1,750m in the women’s under 17 double scull. 

The pair completed the two-team race in six minutes, 52.83 seconds, a marginal 1.07 seconds clear of Newcastle Grammar.

“It was another really good day for them all there. Ash and Sammi looked very slick out there. They’ve been rowing for a full season together now,” Martin said.

“Even the boys in the quad sculls as well, they are all looking better every time they go out. 

“Their main focus is on their single sculls, so they don’t normally train in their crews.”

Simmons and Pett also backed up for their second single scull win over the two meets.

Next up on the cards for the team is the Rowing NSW Reindeer Regatta taking place in Penrith on December 6.