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

This Edition of Oar Talk...

• Act Belong Commit All Schools State Champs WRAP UP
• State Championships Preview
• National Team Selections
• State Team Selection Meeting
• Pennant Point Tables
• The Swans Blues Cup
• ABC Mindful Month - Commendations
• Outback Regatta - Queensland
• Classifieds

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 and let us know you're keen - memberservices@rowingwa.asn.au. We want to highlight the stories and perspectives of the community!!

Grand Finale Hits the Water

State Champs is almost here! On September 13–14, Champion Lakes will host the season’s big finish, with athletes of all ages and grades lining up for two huge days of racing.

From juniors to masters — and even match-ups against senior rowers — it’s set to be a weekend of fierce competition and big energy. Fremantle RC takes the reins on hosting for Saturday, with Swan River RC hosting Sunday’s action.

Last year’s total hit 1,482 seats — can we top it this time?

Not racing? No worries. Come down, cheer your crew, and check out the Regatta Shop for fresh merch from Gyles and Francesca.

Bring your voice, bring your spirit — the State Championships are the grand finale you don’t want to miss!

Rowsellas Named for 2025 World Championships

Rowing Australia has confirmed the Rowsellas set to represent the green and gold at the 2025 World Rowing Championships in Shanghai, China (September 21–28).

Congratulations to Jacqui Swick (SRRC), Johnson Daubney (SRRC) and Alex Rossi (WARC) on their selection into the Australian National Team. This is an incredible achievement, and we wish them every success as they take on the world stage.

For more details on each athlete, click on their photos below.

                                                           WOMEN'S FOUR

                                                             MEN'S QUAD

RWA will hold an athlete briefing during the lunch break at State Champs on Saturday 13 September in the RWA Mezzanine.

This is to advise all nominating athletes what to expect from the trialling and selection process and answer any questions you may have. This session will also be recorded for those that can’t attend due to their racing commitments.

Please click here for nomination information 

Pennant Points Table – Down to the Wire!

It all comes down to this. With only State Championships left on the calendar, the race for the pennant title is tighter than ever.

At the top of the ladder sits UWA Boat Club, but snapping at their heels is Swan River Rowing Club. Just behind them, West Australian Rowing Club is applying the pressure.

One regatta. One last showdown. Are UWA able to hold their lead? Or can Swannies or Westies find the surge they need to flip the table at the final hurdle?

All eyes will be on Champion Lakes, September 13–14. Anything can happen.

Click here to view the current standings.

Are you an Oxford and Cambridge University Alum?

The Boat Race, the most famous rowing race in the world, has been rowed on the Thames between crews from the University of Oxford and the University of Cambridge since 1829.

Since 2009, alumni of Oxford and Cambridge that reside in Perth, have come together to replicate that famous race as best as they can. In recent years, the regatta has grown from a single eights race (‘The Swan Blues Cup’) to include a second eights race and sometimes men’s and/or women’s quads or fours races. 

Interestingly, we believe that the Swans Blues regatta was the only Oxford vs. Cambridge boat races held anywhere in the world in 2020. With COVID halting rowing in Britain. Go Western Australia!

The Swan Blues regatta is held mid-November and is preceded by Sunday morning training sessions from mid-September. The rowing is followed by well-earned coffee and cake.

Alumni rowers include oarsmen and women who have represented the two Universities (and hence been awarded ‘Blues’), those who have represented their University colleges at senior levels, and many others who rowed for a period at school or University and have returned to the sport in later life for fun and fitness. All ages and levels of expertise are welcomed.

 The more experienced crew members are typically regular rowers in various masters level crews at ANA, Swans and WARC with those clubs also benefitting through recruitment of new members once the rowing bug catches hold again. Alumni associations are affiliated with Rowing Western Australia (RWA) and individual rowers are able to take out temporary or  a season-long membership with RWA.

Since 2014, the regatta has been generously hosted by Guildford Grammar School, who kindly supply the equipment and experienced coxes. 

Oxford and Cambridge alumni who would like to join are welcome to make contact through the respective alumni organisations or via the ‘club contacts’ section of the RWA website.

Shout Out to Our Act Belong Commit & Healthway Challenge Clubs!

We want to give a big round of applause to the Clubs that jumped on board for our Act Belong Commit Mindful Month Challenge throughout August. It was fantastic to see the club spirit come alive—not just in numbers, but in creativity, fun, and some very thoughtful posts that truly showcased how important mental wellbeing is for our rowing community.

Well done to Swan River Rowing Club School Girls, Curtin University Boat Club, UWA Boat Club, and West Australian Rowing Club. You entertained us, inspired us, and reminded us of the power of connection through sport. We commend you all for leading the way—on and off the water!

The winner of the Concept 2 erg will be announced at the 2025 Rower of the Year Awards. So make sure to get your tickets now!

Are you going to the Bentleys’ Australian Outback Rowing Regatta this year?

Get ready for an unforgettable weekend of rowing, road-tripping, and regional hospitality at the Bentleys' Australian Outback Rowing Regatta Weekend, held across two iconic Queensland towns: Barcaldine and Longreach.

From the high-energy Outback Sprints in Barcaldine on Saturday to the legendary Head of the Outback in Longreach on Sunday, the weekend is packed with racing, social events, and a convoy of cars and boats winding its way through the heart of the Outback. It’s more than just a regatta. It’s a celebration of rowing in regional Australia, a chance to meet new friends, reconnect with old ones, and discover the spirit of the bush.

A little birdie told me there were a few new items on our Classifieds page.

Interested in some oars, a speed coach or some women's zooties, click here!