TASMANIA'S major involvement in Rowing Australia's latest squads confirms the state as not only a producer of elite rowers but an ideal training base.
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In addition to the eight Tasmanians named, three squads will train in the state to the delight of Tasmanian Institute of Sport head rowing coach Brett Crow.
"It is a fantastic Tasmanian involvement," said Crow, who will train two men's lightweight coxless fours in Hobart.
"Having two lightweight crews training here would have to be a first, especially with three Tasmanians in one of those crews.
"We've got some brilliant water down here. We've got the Derwent, New Norfolk or the Huon all within half an hour and you cannot ask for better water than that."
In addition to Crow's crews, John Driessen will coach the men's heavyweight quad on the Huon.
Tamar's Blair Tunevitsch will join Olympians Sam Beltz (Lindisfarne) and Anthony Edwards (New Norfolk) in a lightweight coxless four also involving four-time Olympian Todd Skipworth, of WA.
Another Tasmanian Beijing representative, New Norfolk's Kerry Hore will team up with Melbourne Uni's Kim Crow in a women's double scull in Canberra and also based at the AIS will be Tamar's former world champion Ingrid Fenger who is training in the lightweight single scull.
Crow said one of the best results for Tasmania was having both North Esk's Alex Fowler and Adam Wertheimer (University of Tasmania) named in the Melbourne-based under-23 men's eight.
He said they were particularly welcome inclusions given the absence of fellow heavyweights Brendan Long (Tamar) through injury and Olympic gold medallist Scott Brennan (Lindisfarne), who is concentrating on his medical studies in Canberra.
Tamar's Annabel Gibson completes the quota of Tassie rowers having been named in the under-23 lightweight quad scull crew to train in Sydney.
Tamar's Ken Davey will also coach the men's junior quad, Crow's predecessor Rhett Ayliffe will coach the men's double scull in Canberra and Hobart's Jonothon Hookway will represent Melbourne University in the Perth-based under-23 lightweight coxless four.
Selected from trials at Penrith, the national squad of 39 rowers will contest world cup events in Germany and Switzerland before preparing for November's world championships in New Zealand. The under-23 team will contest its world championships in Brest, Belarus, in July.
Crow anticipated further Tasmanian involvement with the expected return of Long and Brennan, Ali Foot, Tom Gibson, Shaun Finlayson and Nick Baker all pushing for the lightweight eight crew and Tamar's Carly Cottam on a break from lightweight duties.
"The trials came a bit early for Scotty. But he will be back next year and vying for a position in the quad or double for the Olympics," Crow said.
"Carly pulled out due to work commitments. That is a big loss because I'm sure if she had decided to go she would have been in the team. But I think she will be back."
