The rowing might be over, but at Gold Coast Master Rowers, the morning is far from finished. At Gold Coast Master Rowers, we take our rowing seriously. Well, reasonably seriously.

We work on our technique, push ourselves through the training sessions, prepare for regattas and occasionally debate the finer points of what constitutes a good stroke. But there's another important part of the GCMR experience that deserves recognition. Coffee at Cafe on South Bay (or at the Easy T Centre on public holidays!).

It's become something of a tradition. After a Saturday and Sunday rowing, you'll generally find us gathered around a table, catching up, sharing stories and discussing the morning's efforts. And for those lucky enough to be retired, why limit a good thing to weekends? Midweek coffee is very much an option too. After all, recovery is important.

The debrief: because the row is never really over

The boats are back on their racks, the oars are put away and the session is officially finished. But has anyone actually discussed what happened out there? The boat felt good today. The timing was a little off. The conditions were challenging. That other crews looked quick. And someone definitely has a theory about why.

A session that lasted an hour on the water can generate another hour of discussion over coffee. Every stroke can be revisited, every crew combination reconsidered and every technical observation thoroughly debated. The fact that everyone remembers the session slightly differently only adds to the entertainment.

Cafe on South Bay: where the real team bonding happens

There's something about sitting down together after a row that makes the whole experience even better.

The conversation moves effortlessly from rowing to family, holidays, weekend plans and whatever else life has thrown our way. New members get to know the regulars, old friends catch up, and someone inevitably tells a story that has everyone laughing. And then there's the cake.

One candle, many reasons to celebrate

Birthdays at GCMR don't necessarily require a grand celebration. Sometimes all it takes is a muffin or a piece of cake to share, topped with a single candle. It's a simple tradition, but it's a lovely one.

A little recognition, a round of birthday wishes and a chance to celebrate another year with the people who have become part of your life through rowing. The cake might be modest, and the candle count might be deliberately economical, but the sentiment is genuine. Besides, after a morning on the water, surely we've earned it?

And if there's no birthday to celebrate, there's always an excellent reason to share something sweet (or savoury) anyway. We are, after all, a community built on sharing, boats, crews, advice, stories and, occasionally, raisin toast.

The retired rower's secret advantage

For those still juggling work, family and the demands of everyday life, weekend coffee is a welcome opportunity to slow down. For the retired members of GCMR, there's an added bonus. Why wait until Saturday?

A midweek row followed by coffee at Cafe on South Bay is a pretty good way to spend a morning. There's time to enjoy the water, catch up with friends and ease into the rest of the day without immediately rushing off to the next commitment. It's one of the pleasures of this stage of life: having the time to enjoy the things that matter. And if someone suggests another coffee during the week, it's hardly an unreasonable proposal.

More than just coffee

It's easy to think of rowing as the main event and everything afterwards as an optional extra. But the friendships built around those tables are part of what makes a rowing club special. It's where we celebrate achievements, laugh about the occasional mishap, welcome new faces and support one another through life's ups and downs.

We might initially come together because we enjoy rowing, but it's the people who make us want to keep coming back. The coffee is simply where we get to enjoy that connection without having to synchronise our catches.

So, is coffee part of the training programme?

At GCMR, we think the evidence speaks for itself. Regular attendance. Strong social connections. Excellent conversation. Occasional cake. And a proven ability to turn a quick coffee into a rather more substantial commitment.

We'll leave the official classification to the coaches (official and non-official). But we suspect there'd be a fairly strong protest if anyone tried to remove it from the schedule.

Your turn: What's your favourite part of the GCMR post-row tradition? The rowing debrief, the company, the birthday cake or simply having nowhere more urgent to be?

And to our retired rowers: just how many midweek coffee sessions can you fit into a good week?

See you on the water and then at Cafe on South Bay.

Gold Coast Master Rowers: good rowing, great company and always room for one more at the table.