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Our rowing community have had a busy few weeks, catch up here. 

This edition of Oar Talk...

• U22 Oceania Teams Rowing Championships
• Indoor State Champs
• All Schools State Champ
• Welcome Conall
• U23 Australian Team in Poland
• U19 Australian Team in Lithuania
• Congratulations Jacqui Swick
• World Cup Series
• Henley Masters Regatta
• Pathways Camp
• The Grants Guy Webinar - 20th August 6pm
• Volunteer Thanks

Get Involved with Oar Talk:

• Do you have a rowing photo you want to feature as the cover photo? Send it through to memberservices@rowingwa.asn.au!
• Do you want to write a Guest Article for the newsletter? It could be an opinion piece or a story from the community. Pick a topic & let us know you're keen - memberservices@rowingwa.asn.au. We want to highlight the stories and perspectives of the community!!

The U22 Oceania Teams Rowing Championships took place at West Lakes, Adelaide from the 24-27th July 2025. Click here for results

WA sent over a Women's VIII+ and a Men's VIII+

The first day was Phase 1 of racing: Singles and Pairs. The day saw some adverse weather to say the least. The team braved the conditions and their racing was adjusted to take place as a Time Trial format. The afternoon's racing was sadly cancelled and times were taken from the morning's time trials. 

Day two and Phase 2: Coxless Fours and Quads.  Day two also had it's weather challenges but was certainly better than Friday. The heats were raced as time trial format, followed by 8 lane racing in the afternoon. 

Day three and Phase 3: Big boats, the pinnacle of racing, the VIII's! The WA Team went out looking very smart in their team Zooties and gave it their all!

They left Adelaide with something valuable—team strength, determination, and a strong sense of pride.

A standout moment came from Izzy Utley, who rowed her way to a bronze medal in the lightweight single—a huge achievement in a highly competitive field with very bad conditions.  Her performance was not only a personal win but also a great morale boost for the entire squad.

A few shout outs within the squad.

Thank you to Blair Parnell who took a leadership role for the whole team. He made sure things got done and was a massive help in rigging and setting boats for the team. Go Boatman Blair! 

Thank you to William Moharich for his salesman skills of swopping kit. If Will was not racing or eating, he was out swopping kit, for himself and everyone else too. We believe everyone in the village knew who Will was by the end of the weekend! And luckily, because Will had a tendency to wonder off and get left behind....multiple times. We are glad you're back safe and sound for the swannies houdini salesman. 

Rowing WA and the U22 Team would like to thank Rowing South Australia for hosting the first of the Oceania Teams Rowing Championship. We would also like to thank all the clubs and schools that loaned their precious boats to us. An extended thanks to Daniel and Unley High School. Not only did they loan us boats, but opened up their shed for the Team's use to take shelter from bad weather. Generously allowing the use of Cox Boxes, speed coaches and their brand spanking new boats, first time on the water was with our athletes in them. We hope to return the favour one day!

What an Amazing Indoor State Champs!

The 2024 Indoor State Championships lit up the UWA Sports Hall on Saturday, 27th July, delivering an unforgettable day of high-energy racing and community spirit.

With 132 athletes aged between 14 and 78, the event showcased the incredible diversity and inclusivity of indoor rowing. Competitors took on a range of challenges including the 2000m, 1000m, 500m sprints, and the always-exciting 2000m team relays.

This year’s event wasn’t just for seasoned rowers—members of the public joined in too, turning the day into a real celebration of fitness, fun, and friendly competition. The vibe? Absolutely electric—a DJ, food trucks serving up delicious eats, and live commentary keeping the energy high. 

It was great to learn more about some of our competitors, especially learning about Max Werner's pet turtle called Squirtle!

If you missed it this year, mark your calendars now—this event is quickly becoming a highlight of the rowing calendar, and it’s only getting bigger and better.

Congratulations to Our Champions:

• 🏆 Champion Club: UWABC

• 🏫 Champion School: Tie between St Hilda’s and Scotch College

• 💪 Champion Gym: Goodlife

A huge well done to everyone who competed, and a big thank you to the organisers, volunteers, and spectators who made the day such a success. It truly was a super event—see you next year!

Click here for results 

🚣‍♀️ Get Ready for WA’s Biggest All Schools State Champs! Saturday 9th August 

The countdown is on for the biggest All Schools State Rowing Championships WA has ever seen! With a massive 423 athletes and 1131 seats hitting the water, this regatta promises a full day of thrilling races, team spirit, and family fun.

Hosted at the stunning Champion Lakes Regatta Centre, this unmissable event is proudly supported by Act Belong Commit and the City of Armadale—bringing together the best junior rowing talent from across the state in a celebration of sport, teamwork and resilience.

🎉 What to Expect:
✅ High-energy racing from early morning
✅ Regatta Shop on-site for all your merch needs
✅ Live streaming available all day so no one misses a moment
✅ BBQ & Bakes by Canning Bridge Rowing Club—grab a bite and support the hosts!
✅ Family-friendly atmosphere with a great community vibe

Whether you're cheering from the shoreline or tuning in from home, make sure to support your school, friends and family in what promises to be a spectacular day of racing.

📡 Watch live: here

Welcome, Conall – Our New Events Co-ordinator!

We’re thrilled to officially welcome Conall to the Rowing WA team as our new Events Co-ordinator!

Conall has quickly become the driving force behind the scenes, working tirelessly to ensure our regattas run smoothly and successfully. From logistics to last-minute fixes, his attention to detail and calm under pressure have been a huge asset—and we’re incredibly lucky to have him on board.

He’s already making a big impact, and if you’ve been to a recent event, you’ve likely seen the results of his hard work (even if you haven’t seen him yet). If you haven’t met Conall, be sure to say hi at the next regatta—he’s always happy for a chat (a quick one) and a chance to connect with the community.

When Conall isn't hard at work or coaching rowing, he is sailing!

Welcome, Conall—and thank you for everything you’re doing!

The 2025 World Rowing Under 23 Championships took place from July 23 to 27 in Poznan, Poland, at the Malta Regatta Course.

WA athlete Ben Scott was selected into the Australian U23 National team to race in the Men's VIII+. They placed 4th in the A-Final and had a cracker of a race! Well done Ben! Click here for results, photo's and videos from the Event. 

Event information 

The championships was held at the Malta Regatta Course in Poznan, a premier rowing venue known for its modern facilities and scenic views along the Warta River. This location has hosted numerous international rowing events, making it a fitting backdrop for the U23 Championships. 

The World Rowing U23 Championships serve as a crucial platform for emerging talent in the sport, allowing athletes to showcase their skills and potentially pave the way for future participation in senior international competitions, including the Olympics. 

Thank you World Rowing for the great photo's and video's

The 2025 World Rowing Under 19 Championships will take place from August 6 to 10 in Trakai, Lithuania, featuring over 900 young rowers from around the globe.

From WA we have:

Pair - Jack Hansen-Knarhoi (FRC) & Lachlan Brown (WARC)

Quad - Lucas Cardaci (WARC)

We couldn't be prouder. We will be watching in anticipation! Yeah WA!!

Some details around the Event. 

The championships will be held at Lake Galvė in Trakai Lithuania, a picturesque venue known for its scenic beauty and previous rowing events

The event will host athletes from over 50 countries, showcasing the best young rowing talent worldwide. 

Jacqui Swick | WA | Swan River Rowing Club

Jacqui is one of the Scholarship recipients of the The AIS Athlete Education Scholarship (AES). Nice one Jacqui, well deserved!!

The AIS Athlete Education Scholarship (AES) in partnership with the John and Myriam Wylie Foundation, is used to support high performance athletes with their education costs. 

Jacqui is studying a Bachelor of Commerce at The University of New South Wales.

Jacqui is grateful for this support as it will enhance her ability to train at the highest level but ensure she can continue her education, setting her up for success both during and beyond sport. It provides the stability needed to chase her Olympic dream while preparing for her future career.

A little insight into Jacqui's rowing career.

Hailing from Western Australia, Jacqueline Swick began rowing at the age of 16 in 2019. After competing for her high school, Jacqueline joined the Swan River Rowing Club.

In 2021: Western Australia youth eight, rowed to victory

In 2022: Senior Western Australian eight

In 2022: Australian squad. Claimed her first international gold. 

2022: Athlete of the year at the Western Australian Institute of Sport.

2023: Australian women's eight. 

2024: Jacqueline received a tier one scholarship into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame program.

2024: Olympic debut in Paris. 

2025: Gold in the Open Women’s Four . A three-year NTC scholar and Tier One Sport Australia Hall of Fame Scholarship recipient.

Outside of rowing, Jacqui enjoys Monopoly Deal, online shopping, coffee dates, and spending time with her favourite people. Her 2025 goal? “Hopefully this year I learn to use my hips 🤞🏽”

Jacqui is currently a member of the Australian Women's Four AUS1 and the Women's Eight.

WA Athletes Shine on the World Stage in June Rowing Events

June was a remarkable period for rowing in Western Australia, as several of our elite athletes proudly represented our country in the World Rowing Series held in Varese, Italy and Lucerne, Switzerland. Competing against the best in the world, our rowers delivered outstanding performances, showcasing their talent, dedication, and resilience. 

The World Rowing Series provided a highly competitive environment, and our athletes rose to the occasion, earning respect and admiration both on and off the water. From tight finishes to powerful team efforts, every race was a testament to the countless hours of training and preparation undertaken by these dedicated individuals and their support teams.

We are equally thrilled to share that a number of our athletes extended their international campaign by competing at the Henley Royal Regatta in the UK—one of the most prestigious events on the global rowing calendar. Their participation at Henley not only continues to elevate WA’s presence on the world stage but also provides invaluable international racing experience as they prepare for future championships.

Rowing WA extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the athletes, coaches, and support staff involved. You have done us proud, and your achievements continue to inspire the next generation of WA rowers.

World Cup Varese                             World Cup Lucerne

Jacqui Swick                                                Jacqui Swick 

W4- : 2nd Place                                             W4- : 2nd Place

W8+ : 3rd Place

Click on here for results Varese & Lucerne

2026 Henley Masters Regatta News

Henley Masters Regatta was held on 10, 11 and 12 July 2026 and WA made an appearance, and brought back bling!

Congratulations to Corbett Poynton from Curtin University Boat Club on your win!

We are looking forward to seeing how many WA Masters make their way to the next Henley Masters Regatta!

Henley Masters Regatta will be a three-day event from 2026, allowing more crews to come and compete on the iconic Henley course!

Established in 1994, Henley Masters Regatta is held on the Friday and Saturday of the second weekend in July, which is the week following Henley Royal Regatta in Henley-on-Thames. In 2024, a huge 30-year-anniversary party was held at Leander Club to celebrate 30 years gone by and to look forward to the next 30 years of Henley Masters Regatta on the beautiful stretch of river in Henley-on-Thames.

Hosted and run by Upper Thames Rowing Club (UTRC), the regatta has grown into an internationally recognised event for masters crews. Competitors travel from all over the world to compete over 1000 metres on the famous Henley reach. 

If you're not planning on Lake Bled, Slovenia for Masters Worlds next year, maybe sign up for some summer racing at this iconic regatta!

The July Pathways Camp welcomed 20 schoolboys and 21 schoolgirls for a three-day training program held at Aquinas College. The camp focused primarily on on-water sessions, with an emphasis on technique and friendly 500m races. Afternoon sessions were filled with games such as ultimate frisbee, octopus, and time on the ergometers.

The aim of the camp was to provide school-aged athletes with an opportunity to connect with like-minded peers who are passionate about continuing their rowing journey beyond school, and to learn from a range of coaches who shared their stories, experiences, and insights into the various pathways that rowing can offer.

We were also fortunate to have an exciting opportunity provided by Rowing Australia and the Commonwealth Games Association: an Under-19 TID (Talent Identification) Beach Sprint session at the end of the camp. Rowing Australia’s Laryssa Biesenthal led the session, alongside current Australian Beach Sprint team members Blake Whyatt (WARC) and Catherine Khan.

Beginners Guide to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion - Webinar Outline

About the Presenter:  Keith Whelan
Keith presently facilitates workshops and webinars for SSO’s and Sporting Clubs across Australia.  Keith has consulted and facilitated workshops and webinars for State Government Departments of Sport across States and Territories.

He has presented workshops for the likes of Swimming WA, Sport SA, NSW Rugby, Cricket NSW, Tennis Australia and Football Tasmania.

 What previous clients have said:

  "An informative workshop that gave a good mix on creative technique and practical aspects of writing grants. Keith was an interesting and entertaining tutor. I'd be interested in any follow up workshops". – NSW Netball

  "Great workshop, very inspiring, Keith tackles as many aspects of grant writing as he can in the short time he has" – ACT Brumbies

 “Excellent workshop and amazing facilitator! Enlightened our organisation to what funding is available and how to apply for such – Disability Sports Australia

 Who should attend: Anyone can attend! Click on the link above
The workshop is the ideal, practical guide to grant writing for any Sports Club seeking to attain an understanding of implementing a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategy and ideology in their club.  

 This 1-hour webinar is designed to equip sporting administrators and committees with the tolls, knowledge and strategies need to excel in fostering an inclusive, divers and equitable club space.

 This webinar covers critical components of inclusive leadership, enhancing self-awareness, cultural competence, effective communication and the ability to develop an inclusive volunteer and committee strategy within a sporting association or club.

 The following subject matter will be discussed:

 ·        Defining Inclusive Leadership

 ·        Building Cultural Competence

 ·        Cultivating appreciation for diverse experiences

 ·        Recognizing unconscious bias

 ·        The value of diversity in team dynamics

 ·        Embedding inclusion in the club culture

 ·        Organizational policies that drive equity

As we navigate this busy period of the rowing season, Rowing WA would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our incredible club volunteers and Boat Race Officials (BROs). Your dedication, time, and effort are essential to the smooth running of our regattas, and we truly couldn’t do it without you. Your continued support not only keeps our events on track but also helps foster the strong and vibrant community that makes rowing in WA so special. Thank you for everything you do!

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