NSW Athletes Trot the Globe

NSW athletes trot the globe in search of competition.

Whether you didn’t make the final cut at selection, you never contended for a national team, or you just want to row and holiday with friends, travelling overseas to compete at international rowing regattas is becoming increasingly popular. Seeking more competitive regattas not available in Australia, NSW athletes from clubs including Sydney University, Sydney Rowing Club, UTS, and Riverview are racing at elite international regattas including the United States’ Nationals, Henley, Boston, and even the Finish Tapere Regatta. Wherever you go in the world, chances are you could meet NSW rowers competing for their clubs. An independently organised trip can provide a fantastic opportunity for young, aspiring athletes to have some fun, fast racing and hopefully keep them in the sport.

Two NSW athletes that have recently left for international racing are 2004 Athens Olympian Steve Stewart (UTS) and lightweight rower Oli Zuk (Sydney University). Teaming up with fellow Olympians Dave Dennis (University of Western Australia) and Dave McGowan (Swan River), the extremely accomplished four are heading over to race in the US, Finland and Henley, with training in Sweden completing the itinerary.

All four athletes have different motivations for embarking on their global travels, whether it’s ending a lengthy rowing career on a good note, breaking into the national team, or trying to re-enter international racing. Despite the four living at different ends of Australia, it hasn’t stopped them from taking the trip seriously, with extensive training done at their respective clubs and a five day training camp together. Furthermore Stewart, Dennis, and McGowan are no strangers to each other after racing in the straight four together at the Nation’s Cup in 2000.

The next few weeks should prove to be close and exciting racing, with the US Nationals showcasing Princeton’s elite rowers, and the four’s Olympic pedigree forcing them into the highest category at Henley. Although enjoyment is the primary reason to race, Steve quickly assures that they are taking the racing seriously, and that they can only improve by competing against the best.  However this trip means a lot to Steve as it reminds him of what he loves about rowing, “[having fun] has always been my approach to rowing. You have to enjoy it and sometimes step back and appreciate your mates.”

What makes this trip even more exciting for the boys is that they could be racing some familiar faces in Henley as the majority of the Australian Rowing Team are using the regatta as preparations for Munich. This could include a possible match-race with the current Australian four (containing four NSW athletes, Loch, Chapman, Hegerty, and Baxter). So could Henley turn out to be a NSW tussle? When asked what he thinks about going over to the UK to possibly race fellow club mates, Steve says, “We don’t have anything to lose. We’re just four good mates who want to have a good, hard race.”

Verena Stocker

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