“THESE kids are tough, I think that’s why Kinross does so well. In the city they’re a bit softer.”

Kinross Wolaroi School rowing coach James Smith knows his club is at a serious disadvantage to their metropolitan counterparts in terms of training facilities and resources, but he said one huge attribute Kinross gains from being based in regional NSW more than makes up for it - the area breeds “tough” athletes.

For Smith, in his second season with Kinross, that toughness factor played a huge role in the club scoring seven medals at last week’s Sydney International Rowing Regatta (SIRR).

“It’s a pain sport, you’re in pain from the start to the finish, so you have to be tough,” Smith said.

“I think that’s why Kinross does so well, they’re all country kids ... when they come to this program and get told they need to roll up their sleeves and do the hard work it’s just second nature to them.

“That’s a big factor for me, the country kids are just tougher in my opinion.”

Kinross competed in the Australian Open Schools Rowing Championships - one of three signature events at the SIRR - and claimed two gold medals, three silver medals and two bronze medals across the seven-day carnival.

Kate Hall and Jocelyn Date claimed gold in the under-19 women’s coxless pairs, clocking 7 minutes, 54.60 seconds in the final to win, while Kinross’ under-17 schoolgirl coxed eight crew also won gold.

Isabelle Robson, Phoebe Skene, India Kermode, Ailish Seedsman, Harriet Haege, Sally Uttley, Maggi Yeomans and Thea Allen clocked 7:05.66 to win.

Kinross’ schoolboy coxed quadruple scull, under-17 men’s coxed quadruple scull and under-19 men’s coxless pairs crews all won silver medals, while the under-19 women’s coxed eight and under-19 men’s coxed four won bronze.

“‘There’s always a lot of pride in seeing the kids do well,” Smith said.

“There’s a lot of hard work to get those results from a lot of people, none more so than the athletes.”

“I’m just so proud of everyone in the club, they worked so hard and got rewarded for it,” Hall, Kinross’ rowing captain, added.

matthew.findlay@fairfaxmedia.com.au