Welcome to the Aikman Club
Our website will provide you with information to learn about our club and how to join us in your enjoyment of rowing.
The club was founded in 2015 as part of the Old Haileyburian Association (OHA) who continue to support the Club.
Anyone interested in participating in rowing is welcome to join us at the National Water Sports Centre.
Sport News
Aikman Club
2026 Rowing Victoria 150th Anniversary State Championships The Aikman Club joined with rowers from 69 other Clubs and Schools to participate in the State Championships at Lake Wendouree, Ballarat. The Champs were held over 3 days 27th Feb – 1st March. The venue was the 1956 Olympic course. In yet more firsts for the Club two members rowed in the Male C Grade Single Sculls event. The conditions over the weekend varied significantly, form Thunderstorms on Friday afternoon, good conditions on Saturday and windy on Sunday – when the C grade singles were held. Battling high winds on Sunday afternoon Chris Gassin (OH ’08) finished a strong 2nd in his heat in 4.27.34s to advance to the final later in the day. In an earlier heat of the same event Reuben Goff managed a respectable 5th in 5.14.01. This was Reuben’s first ever race. In the final Chris managed a strong 4th place in 4.28.91 missing the podium by a narrow margin. Club stalwart Paul Diggerson was also involved as the President of the Jury running the regatta. The club now looks forward to the next adventure at Footscray on the Maribyrnong on the 21st March, and the State Masters Championships at Nagambie on the 2nd & 3rd May. New members are always welcome – whether you just want a relaxing social row or have never rowed before but would like to give it a go! There is no requirement that you join our racing squad. Check our website or
Aikman Club
Aikman Club feature in 1st Rowing Victoria Virtual Rowing Championships
For the first time Rowing Victoria conducted a Virtual rowing Championship over the week 7th- 15th February 2026.
Indoor rowing is one of the newer aspects of rowing – conducted on Concept 2 Row Erg’s across the State. There were 3 distances 500m, 1,000m & 2,000m across both Male & Female and various age categories.
Reuben Goff featured on the podium in the Masters category across all 3 distances – taking Silver in the 500m (1.24.6), Gold in the 1,000m (3.13.0), and Bronze in the 2,000m (7.03.0).
Other club members competing in the Masters category included Phil Tan 4th in the 1,000m and 5th in the 500m and Paul Diggerson 6th in the 500m.
On ANZAC Day (25th April) the Club will be joining other Australian Clubs and individuals in the annual ANZAC Challenge with New Zealand – to see which country can rack up the most 2,504m efforts on Row Erg’s. If you want to join in the challenge, get in touch for times the club will be open.
secretary@aikman.club
Aikman Club
Aikman Club strikes Gold
Following on from the recent Bendigo Regatta, a small squad ventured across town to Essendon on 14 December for the Henley on Maribyrnong Regatta.
A Henley style event is match racing (2 crews) usually over 3 rounds with the winner progressing.
Chris Gassin (OH ’08) lead the team performances taking out Division 1 of the Male Masters Single Scull event – with a winning margin in the final of 0.42s. for the Clubs first Gold Medal. Earlier in the day Chris finished a creditable 9th in the Male A Grade single scull. This was the first time Chris has returned to racing since representing HY in the 2008 Head of River as 2 seat in the 1st VIII which finished 1st in the B Final, having narrowly missed the A Final by 0.62s.
Other strong performances came from Tom Cariss (OH ‘22 ) in the Male C grade Single scull, along with Ben Reed (OH’24).
The Female C grade Coxed Quad who won their Time Trial and the Mixed Masters coxed Quad who were competitive in their Heat.
The Club is now looking towards the next regatta.
New members are always welcome – whether you just want a relaxing social row or have never rowed before but would like to give it a go!
There is no requirement that you join our racing squad.
Check our website or contact secretary@aikman.club
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