5 X National Champions
A proud history - a bright future
Pres has a proud history and a strong tradition in rowing and runs a very competitive and successful program for all students from January in 1st Year all the way through to 6th year. Students will have the option of doing both rowing and rugby in 1st and 2nd year.
As a member of Rowing Ireland, Pres is an affiliated rowing club and as a result competes directly against clubs and schools from all over Cork, Munster and Ireland meaning that it is not possible to row for your school and a commercial club. It is hoped that any student wishing to row does so for their school whether it is just to sample the sport or go on to compete at the highest levels both nationally and internationally.
History
Presentation College has a long history in rowing stretching back as far as 1890 when many students raced for clubs within the city. In 1986 Presentation College formally registered to become an affiliated member of Rowing Ireland for the first time as Presentation College Rowing Club and began rowing out of Shandon Boat Club. The first equipment used by the school was bought second-hand from Dungarvan Rowing Club. In its existence to date the club has been a tenant of both Cork Boat Club and Lee Rowing Club before returning to Shandon Boat Club.
On October 26th 2011 PBCRC celebrated its 25th anniversary.
Achievements
The schools crews have grown in strength over the past number of years to where it is now regarded as one of the top rowing schools in the country. Since 2001 the schools crews have won 5 national club championships, 11 Irish schools titles and have had 30 of our Pres rowing students represent and medal for Ireland at underage level right up to and including Junior European Championship standard. Our students frequently achieve rowing scholarships to third level institutions as a result of their success in the sport with the school.
The club has now won five national titles and each year has been successful at regional and national regattas at all junior levels.
The school also boasts many students who go on to successfully represent senior clubs around the country and abroad.
2016-2017 Season
Irish Rowing Championships - July 2017 (CHAMPIONS 2017)
The school won a fantastic national title when David Higgins won the Club Scull championship event in some style at the Irish Rowing Championships held at the NRC, Farran Woods (14-16 July). David, a 5th Year student, has represented the school at all levels from J14 right through to J18. He has shown great dedication and loyalty to the sport and to the school and has finally got his deserved reward.
David won his heat to secure one of only two spots to progress to the semi-final and then went onto win his semi- final in style to secure his place in the final as the fastest qualifier. The final proved the tightest of the three races but after a tough battle down the course David went on to win by 3 seconds to claim the national title. This was a fantastic achievement coming home in 1st place out of a total of 41 scullers.
This is the schools 6th national club title since 2002 and a great source of pride for all involved in the sport in Pres and testament to all the hard work done by many over the years. Well done to David and his family, his team of coaches and all our supporters and friends.
Cork City Regatta – June 2017
Winners of the J16 coxed Four at Cork City Regatta held at the National Rowing Centre, Farran Woods. Well done to Sam, Darragh, Jack, Peter and cox Cian on a great performance.
Easter Training Camp, Gavirate, Italy.
22 of our students travelled to Italy over their Easter holidays for an intensive training camp. They stayed at the Australian Institutes European Training Centre in Gavirate. This is a high performance centre used by the Australian international rowing crews and cyclists when competing in Europe. The students completed up-to 3 training sessions per day both on the water and in the gym at the centre and in their down time used the facilities study zones to prepare for their upcoming state exams! All students benefited hugely from the experience and it is one that will help prepare them for the upcoming season and seasons ahead
Skibbereen Regatta - April 2017
This was the first regatta of the rowing season and was a good way to prepare our student athletes for their training camp in Italy. There was two full days of racing with strong performances in the J16 Eight, winning the B final in their category, and the J16 Four (2nd place). Again our 1st years got their first taste of regatta racing with three 1st year quads entered for the event.
Irish Schools Regatta- April 2017
This was the schools largest entry to date in this event and the day produced some memorable races most notably the Schools Senior Eight event. This is the blue riband event in Irish rowing and our crew put in a superb performance to finish in silver medal position. The result was even more impressive when you consider that 3 of this crew were made up of 3rd year rowers. St Josephs from Galway finished in 1st place and a tightly contested fight for 2nd saw Pres ‘pip’ Colaiste Iognaid, Galway to the line with CBC Cork finishing further back in 4th position.
St Michaels Head of the River – March 2017
This rescheduled event, held in O’ Brien’s Bridge, was another successful day for the school with lots of racing and strong performances but had the added distinction of our 1st Years taking part in their first competitive event. The selected crews performed very well and the experience gained will stand to them in the years ahead.
Cork Head of the River – February 2017
Cork Head of the River was held on the Marina and once again proved a very successful event for the Pres rowers. The schools crews won the J16 Eight, the J16 Four, the J15 Eight and the Club Four events. The athletes then had the added bonus of having their prizes presented by Olympians Gary O’ Donovan and Sanita Purspure.