The Indonesian Rowing and Canoeing Association (PODSI) successfully organized a combined regional coastal race module (CRM) course and training workshop for national technical officials (umpires) in Bali from 10- 15 July 2023.
The course was held with the support of World Rowing through an Olympic Solidarity Regional Technical Course for Coaches allocated to rowing by the Indonesian Olympic Committee (NOC).
The CRM course witnessed the participation of 21 coaches coming mainly from 16 provinces in Indonesia together with neighboring countries, namely, Chinese Taipei, Malaysia and Philippines. The NTO training included 10 young national umpires from Indonesia.
World Rowing coaching expert Chris Perry and umpiring expert Nick Hunter delivered the CRM and NTO training respectively.
Vice President of the Indonesian rowing federation, Mr. Budiman Setiawan, Secretary General Mr. Edy Suyono, and Deputy Secretary General Mr. Brata T. Hardjosubroto joined the World Rowing team during the courses and rendered all the required support and facilities to successfully deliver the courses.
The 4-day programme saw integrated sessions for coaches and umpires on day one. Then, from day two onwards, coaching specific sessions were run contiguously with umpiring specific workshops.
Beach practical sessions, combining both coaches and umpires, were organized at Jimbaran Beach located on the southwest side of the island of Bali. Here the wide, curved bay area on the south side of Ngurah Rai International Airport provides an ideal venue for beach sprints with a gentle sandy slope and moderate waves.
Swimming and the ability to float on water was also tested for all participants to ensure the safety of coaches when out on the sea.
Given the touristic nature of the beautiful public beach at Jimbaran, all required steps were taken to ensure that the local community and tourists were not negatively affected by the rowing activities and also to ensure the safety of all. Special thanks must go to the officers of the traditional local village beach patrol.
The course concluded with a simulation test event with CM1x, CW1x and C2x events. Here coaches and NTO practiced how to set-up a course for a beach sprint event and to organize and run a complete regatta.
Despite some challenging water conditions, the full race schedule was completed on-time – with a total of 12 races. The rowers, boat handlers, NTOs and technical staff did an outstanding job with everyone participating actively under the direction of the World Rowing experts. The overall team spirit was excellent, and the overseas participants were made very welcome by the local participants. It was really a fun day with a lot of learning transfer.
Discussions on safeguarding participants from non-accidental violence in sports and on environmental sustainability and beach cleanup were also included during the courses, with considerable interest from the participants.
Currently there are no specific venues for coastal rowing in Indonesia, but there are many beautiful beaches where the activity could be practiced; and following this training the Indonesian federation is very keen to develop this discipline of our sport.
There was also interest from the beach goers, who stopped by to check the rowing boats and observe the practice and races.
Beach sprints is gaining popularity and is a very exciting discipline. This course left a long lasting legacy in Indonesia to help them with their future planning of beach sprints, which will now be included in the Indonesian National Games in the future.
We definitely hope to come back again to the beautiful island of Bali and the kind and welcoming Indonesian people.