Those of us involved in rowing feel very passionate about the sport. It is crucial that we strive to improve not only the standards but the challenges, engagements and the excitement of the sport - to support coaches, athletes and supporting organizations.

What makes the Z12 Challenge unusual is that it is the first time a series of Head style races in rowing where rowers get ranked before to can compete at the next stage. They can see their progression over a number of months against their competitors.

Initially the Z12 was focused on single sculls, we have now expanded this to include sweep pair events as well.

The Z12 is a series of races over different distances where scullers and rowers get ranked;The initial stage is a 3k race where the initial ranking occurs. The second stage is a 5k race and will usually occur approximately a month after the 3k stage. Scullers and rowers are seeded from the 3k stage with the fastest boat from the previous stage going off first.The final stage is the 6k race and all boats will be seeded from the previous stage. Crews can enter the 5k if they have not previously entered the 3k stage but they will be seeded at the end of the list on a first come basis.

The leaders at each stage get a leader shirt:

• 3k Z12 Red Shirt
• 5k Z12 Orange Shirt
• 6k Z12 Black Shirt (the placing 2 to 12 also get a yellow shirt)

Z12 will supply the design for this and the local organization committee can work with a local vendor to produce the shirt. They can also solicit local advertising for the event and put them on the tee shirt.

The Z12 is also a useful tool for coaches to see how their athletes are competing and how their training is progressing over a given period of time. We also hope that this in time will become a useful tool for High performance coaches to identify and monitor athletes in different locations across the country and see how they are progressing.

Categories: Host Organizations can opt to host any of the following categories