This season has been a challenging one for the Tolosaldea rowing team, as they have faced many departures, several of them regular starters. Furthermore, they have encountered training difficulties throughout the season, unable to store their boat in Pasaia. Twelve rowers have left the team from last year, with two of them joining the Donostia Arraun Lagunak club. Coach Ramon Erostarbe explained that it was "a significant blow," and they had to rebuild the entire squad, promoting rowers from their youth system to the first team and bringing in a couple of rowers from outside. Despite this, they have managed to field a competitive team.
Erostarbe notes that having twelve departures is highly noticeable: "Only one of last year's port-side starters remains. That's what happened, and that's what we've worked with." Three rowers from the youth system have been promoted to the main boat, and two have been brought in from outside. "I always say I enjoy working with the youth system, and those who come from outside need to make a difference," he added. Due to these changes, this year's team is completely different from last year's, and the objective is to work more on developing the team or the core group, even though this presents greater challenges in rowing.
Erostarbe is pleased with the results achieved in the regattas so far. "I always prepare the downhill races calmly to observe various aspects," he stated. They won the Pasaia downhill race and finished third in the Gipuzkoa Championship. In the Euskadi Championship, they secured second place, despite competing in different heats and under less favorable conditions. "We are very happy with that result and are hopeful of being in the top heat in the league," he declared.
Erostarbe sees Donostia Arraun Lagunak as the strongest boat, as it has been the team with the fewest departures. Orio has also had many departures, and he has little information about Astillero. He believes the other teams, San Juan, Zumaia, Hibaika, and Donostiarra, will perform similarly to last year. "We will be competing with them. Each regatta will be a world of its own, as it will be very closely contested." He added that achieving second place would be "something extraordinary".
The first league regatta will take place on June 28th in Buitrago de Lozoya (Madrid). "We don't know the location, and we'll see what the conditions are like. It will be a race where strength will be key," he said. He highlighted the good atmosphere among the rowers, who are giving their all on the water. "Being a new project, perhaps they are more aware that it will be a bit tougher, and they are very focused."
Erostarbe has denounced that the San Juan club has placed obstacles for them in training and storing the boat in Pasaia. "They have not allowed us to use the pontoon or the dock they manage," he complained. As a result, they have to go daily with the boat and have no shelter in case of bad weather. He criticized that while "sportsmanship" is mentioned, others are not accommodated when they need something.
The projects of the San Pedro club have not progressed, and they are now seeking the opportunity to store their boat at its facilities. "They are in contact between the Tolosa City Council and that of Pasaia," said Erostarbe, hoping that the Tolosa City Council will assist them and that the Pasaia council will allow them to use the San Pedro Kalparra infrastructure to store their boat.
