Rowing_brochure_FINAL

The Boys in
the Yellow Caps

of RBHS

An Unfinished Story…

The Boys in the Yellow Caps are five passion-
ate and committed schoolboy rowers who
recently won Gold at the SA Schools Rowing
Championships and who’ve been selected to
participate in the 2017 South African Schools
Rowing Union Development Tour to the UK,
from Rondebosch Boys High School Cape
Town.

The signature yellow caps make these boys
visually distinctive as they stand out from
other rowers on the water. More and more,
the commentators speak of “the boys in the
yellow caps” as a crew, and something to
watch.

Clev Gilliam Christian Bezuidenhout

Ben Akin Brown

George du Plooy

Kyle Henry

The group started humbly, with no notable achievements to cement The Boy’s Story
their combined efforts. Their start as a team was peppered with
disappointments, near wins, missing the buoys, ploughing into sand Name: Kyle Henry Name: Ben Akin Brown
banks. Dejected, they bemoaned the fate of being the age-group Nickname: “Sassy the Nickname: “Kaptein”
that had achieved no medals of significance in their first season of Sasquatch” Position in the boat: No 2 –
rowing. As under fifteens, they decided to do great things, only to Position in the boat: Stroke – Captain of the boat and part of
miss gold in every race. The answer: train harder. Sets the pace and stroke rate the “Power House”
Known for: Going to gym often Known for: Singing the
Two years later, this dedicated group of boys took to the water, a Quote: “I was only five minutes pan-whistle solo from
well polished, connected and formidable team. They won in every late.” Jurassic Park
event and finally got gold in SA’s top schools competition, the Interesting fact: During regattas Quote: “We’re back together
South Africa Schools Rowing Championships 2017. They were pit- he can be found in the gazebo, really”
ted against the most prestigious school programmes countrywide, sleeping. During camps and Interesting fact: The only
schools with abundant resources and a long history of rowing. This tours, he can be found in his member of the quad who has a
was a considerable achievement. The boys in the yellow caps had bed, sleeping. Sometimes 10 girlfriend. Known as the “Local
done it! minutes before a session starts medic” because of all the plas-
you will find him at home, ters and tape he has ready for
The win at SA Champs earned them the opportunity to join the sleeping. his hands for when they blister
SASRU development tour to England, where they will row in the on tour or rowing camps.
Bedford Amateur Regatta and the Wallingford Regatta, which take
place in Buckinghamshire near Eton next to the River Thames. It
attracts crews from schools, clubs and universities from around the
United Kingdom. The Bedford Regatta was founded in 1853 and
brings competitive rowing to the River Great Ouse. It’s one of the
largest single-day river regattas in the country.

A Story of
Unmatched Success

In 2016/2017 the “yellow caps” won Name: George du Plooy Name: Christian Bezuidenhout
every regatta that they entered: Nickname: “Vrystaat” Nickname: George calls him
Position in the boat: No 3 – Part “The Brakpan Batman” (it’s
1 Knysna Regatta of the “Power House” only funny to him)
Known for: At the age of six he Position in the boat: Bow
(coxed quad) wanted to become an “army Known for: Being able to con-
man” trol his backsplash to wet Clev
2 Misverstand Heads Race Quote: “Vrystaat!” whenever he wants.
Interesting fact: Vrystaat has Quote: “We can’t get cocky.”
(eight) been George’s call from the be- Interesting fact: Apparently, he
ginning, being said in training is meant to keep us humble.
3 Spring Regatta sessions and the first race of Specifically, the middle pair.
the season (which was won). Just like the rest of the quad
(coxed quad) Being the Vrystaat man George he didn’t start in order to be
loves to put in the power the best but that is more the
4 Elgin Regatta during a steady state training reason why he has kept on
session. rowing.
(coxed quad)
Name: Clev Gilliam
5 Harvest Regatta Nickname: “Bones”
Position in the boat: Coxswain
(coxed quad) Known for: Using the rudder in
a 1000-meter race
6 Buffalo Regatta Quote: “Sir, is my course fine?”
Interesting fact: He wrote
(coxed quad) the race plan all over his legs
before this year’s final at SA
7 Selborne Sprints champs.

(coxed quad)

8 Western Cape Champs

(coxed quad)

9 SA Champs

(coxed quad)

The Coach’s Story Akin Brown at 2 seat. Akin is the boat’s captain. He is the one
that keeps everyone in check. He has a very ambitious outlook on
The journey for these five young boys has been a long and impres- rowing. He has always looked for ways to improve and get faster.
sive one. The first time I had the privilege of coaching them was in He is constantly helping his crew members achieve their goals as he
my first year as a coach in 2015. At that point, the boys were not works hard to achieve his. Akin has always been the one that looks
much to look at, let alone fear. They were small, unfit and filled out for his fellow rowers. He is an outstanding sportsman and has a
with sugar, but what they did have was determination like I have very successful career ahead of him.
never seen before. That determination has them addicted to success
and hungry for more every time they get to a training session. The Christian Bezuidenhout at bow. Christian is at the tail of the boat.
presence these boys carry with them is remarkable. They are strong, His job is to take what the guys have put into the boat and make
fast and fearless yet they have remained so humble and respectful sure that the boat sits properly in the water. He is also very tech-
to those around them. nically proficient and adds a huge amount of power to the boat.
Christian also adds a great deal of discipline to the boat. He is very
The crew members consist of: reserved and prefers to stay true to himself. He may be quieter than
the rest but he has more motivation than you can believe.
Kyle Henry at stroke seat. He leads the rate and speed of the boat.
He is strong and very technically proficient. His composure at the Clev as cox. Clev is the crew’s driver. He makes the calls as well as
front keeps the boat calm and focused. Kyle sets the rhythm in the making sure the boat stays straight. He is definitely the kind of guy
boat which is vital in its speed. He sets the example in the boat for that you hear before you see him. Clev may not look it but he is just
the rest of the guys to follow. as strong as the rowers that he coxes.

George Du Plooy at 3 seat. George is Kyle’s backbone. He motivates I am very proud to have coached these boys thus far and I love
Kyle and allows him to focus on his duties in the boat. George also being a part of their success. They have taught me just as much if
has an incredible hunger for high quality rowing and adds his part not more than what I have taught and coached into them. This crew
with his impressive leg drive that sets the boat. George loves his bub- will be unstoppable in a few years and I am honoured to have even
bles (air that gets trapped under the boat when it’s going very quick- got them this far in their journey.
ly) and will always motivate the crew so he can hear his bubbles.

This Story is worth Following
and Supporting

You can help these boys complete their story
by making a generous donation

The cost of the tour is R235 000 (that’s R47 000 per boy)

Please use these account details for your donations:

Account name: Rondebosch School Education Trust
Bank: Standard Bank
Branch: Rondebosch
Branch code: 025009
Account no: 071466991
Reference to be used: Rowing
Please send proof of payment to [email protected]

For further information please contact Andre on 083 564 1286