Craig Adrians
Wendouree Ballarat Rowing Club (VIC), then Banks Rowing Club (VIC), then Melbourne University Boat Club (VIC)
1982 - Head of the Lake - First crew
1983 - Head of the Lake - First crew - First
1983 - National Championships School Four - First
1984 – Interstate Men’s Youth Eight Championship emergency
1988 - Australian University Championships, Men's Eight, five seat - First
1989 - Australian University Championships, Men's Eight, Second
1990 - National Championships, Men's Four, two seat - Third
1995 – Interstate Women’s Youth Eight Championship co-coach - Fourth
1996 – Interstate Women’s Youth Eight Championship co-coach – First
1998 – Interstate Women’s Youth Eight Championship co-coach - First
1999 – Interstate Women’s Youth Eight Championship co-coach - Second
2000 – Interstate Women’s Youth Eight Championship co-coach - First
2000 – Nations Cup – Women’s Quad Scull coach - Silver
2001 – Interstate Women’s Youth Eight Championship co-coach – Second
1999 to present - Head of rowing at Carey Grammar School
Craig commenced his life long association with the sport in late 1979 whilst a student at Ballarat High School. He started at the end of year 8 and progressed strongly through to the first crew in 1982, and again in 1983 when they won. He rowed at Wendouree Ballarat whilst at school.
Craig, second from the right celebrating his win in the Head of the Lake in 1983.
In 1984 he moved to Melbourne to study at Melbourne University and joined Banks Rowing Club. He was selected as the emergency for the 1984 Victorian Youth Eight. He continued to race with Banks in club rowing events.
In 1987 he moved to MUBC and raced at University Championships in 1988 and 1989, winning the eight in 1988.
Perhaps of greater interest is that in 1987 and 1988 he started a very long coaching career, coaching Queens College whilst still rowing himself.
His last two years as a rower were in 1989 and 1990 partnering with future Australian rowers Nick Green and Andrew Muller, together with Simon Wylie in a four. His last race was at the 1990 National Championships at Lake Barrington when his crew finished third.
1990 was also Craig's first year of teaching. In 1991, whilst teaching at Wesley College, his school coaching career modestly commenced with the year 9s. By 1998, he was coaching the Wesley girls' eight. By the end of 1999, he moved to Carey and ran the rowing program from that date.
In the meantime he continued coaching at MUBC in the youth girls area with great success. Craig then co-coached the Victorian Women's Youth Eight six times up to 2001 with three wins. This coaching finished in 2000 and his focus reverted to school commitments.
Whilst running the rowing program at Carey, he has taken the opportunity on occasions to coach the first girl's eight.
When asked about some of his rowing and coaching memorable moments, many came to his mind. In 1988, the Intervarsity regatta which included a road trip, regattas associated with the World Expo in Brisbane and a week of rowing and partying. Who could complain about that? The MUBC trip to Japan and coaching an Australian crew at the 2000 Nations Cup (now World Under 23 Championships) also rated a good mention. In terms of interesting races, he was drawn to the 2005 Head of the River race where his crew were underdogs but led until a crab about 700 out. The crew came back well and lost by just a metre.
Why rowing? The friendships made which are long term relationships. They are born out of many hours together striving for success and so the bonds are tight. He added that it is very pleasing that rowers he has coached are returning as coaches for him at Carey.
His current project? Coaching junior girls at Yarra Yarra Rowing Club - his daughter is now rowing.
Well done Craig and keep up the good work.
Andrew Guerin
October 2020