Dragon Boat ACT will be utilising the regatta course for the Australian Masters Games regatta this weekend. Racing will be from 8am to 6pm Saturday 18th October to Monday 20th October. All clubs are schools are asked to move off the regatta course by 7:45am each day of racing.
A start platform has been positioned 5m back from lane 1 at 800m to go on the regatta course. Solar lights are attached to the start platform for visibility. Please take care on the regatta course during this period.
The 61st Annual General Meeting will be held Tuesday 28th October from 6:30pm at the Canberra Grammar School Rowing Centre, 11 Alexandrina Drive Yarralumla.
All members of the community are welcome to attend, however only one members from each club or school may act as the voting proxy for the meeting on any decisions required.
Nominations for the Elected Director and Presidents position are open, with nominations required to be sent to eo@rowingact.org.au before COB Tuesday 21st October. For more information on the nomination process, click here
An agenda for the meeting will be circulated prior.
On behalf of the Rowing ACT Board please see below an update to the definitions of the Individual Member categories of Rowing ACT. These definitions have been endorsed by the Rowing ACT board and will be applicable to individual members from the 2025/26 Rowing ACT season.
These definitions have been revised to ensure clarity in the member categories, as well as ensuring Rowing ACT has accurate records of all individual members. Please note that where individual members are not actively registered within the Rowing ACT database, they may not be eligible for the benefits of Rowing ACT membership, inclusive of Personal Accident Insurance.
In addition, commencing with the 2025/26 season, it is expected that athletes competing in the Winter Time Trial series and events such as the Col Panton should be competitive members. Individuals registered as recreational members will not be able to participate in the 2026 Winter Time Trial series and will be required to upgrade their membership.
To ensure we can identify all members, we are asking that ALL registered members are listed in the Rowing ACT membership database, within four weeks of first registering with their club or school, or within 6 months of their annual membership expiring. Individual Members who are not registered within the time periods specified may not be eligible for the benefits of membership with Rowing ACT (some of which are listed below).
Athletes may be registered with one ACT Club and / or one ACT school in the system and can only hold one type of membership in the system. The club or school of whom the athlete is considered the “primary” member of will be charged the affiliation and registration fees at the end of the season.
An individual registered with a Rowing ACT affiliated club or school, who receives benefits from membership with Rowing ACT AND is currently listed in Rowing ACT’s designated membership database OR have been listed as active member in the last 6 months within the designated database.
When a rower registers with a club for the first time, they should be registered with the Rowing ACT membership database within 4 weeks of commencing with their club to be eligible for benefits associated with Rowing ACT membership, including insurance coverage.
Individuals who have been recognised as a life member of Rowing ACT will not be charged Registration / Membership of Rowing ACT; however, life members must still be registered with Rowing ACT if actively engaging with the community. Competitive life members will not be charged registration/membership fees, however, may incur an affiliation fee.
Individuals who race in ANY ACT, Interstate or National regatta or event, and who are 19 or over. Athletes must pay the registration fee for a competitive member if they compete during Rowing ACT’s membership year.
Individuals who race in ANY ACT, Interstate or National regatta or event, and who are under 19 during the relevant calendar year. Athletes must pay the registration fee for a competitive member if they compete during Rowing ACT’s membership year.
An individual who competes only as a coxswain in any regatta and may not compete as a rower.
Individuals who do not compete in ANY Rowing ACT regattas, or at the end of the membership year have not competed in ANY regattas. Recreational members are registered members of a local club or school. Includes non-competitive coxswains.
Officials, committee members, board members, and other non-rowing club members.
Parents and friends of rowers who wish to receive information from Rowing ACT. Individuals registered as supporters do not receive coverage under the Personal Accident Insurance Program.
Rowing ACT extends its congratulations to Nick Hunter OAM, who was added to the Rowing Australia list of Life Members. This is one of the highest honours in Australian rowing, and recognises the significant and enduring service and dedication that Nick Hunter has given to the sport of Rowing.
At the Club, State, National and International levels there is very little that Nick Hunter has not given to the sport of rowing. He is synonymous with rowing in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT), being a long time Club President of the Australian National University (ANU) Boat Club, a former Rowing ACT Board Member and current Life Member. In addition to his roles as an Australian and World Rowing Umpire, a former ACT and Australian rowing coach, and long-time Australian Sports Commission (ASC) administrator, Nick was crucial in the procurement of funding for what was then the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) Rowing Centre.
Nick has represented umpires on the Rowing Australia and World Rowing Umpires Commissions. He was also the first Australian to be appointed to World Rowing Umpires Commission.
Nick’s dedication to rowing is matched by very few. His knowledge of rowing history is truly incredible, with encyclopaedic recall and enjoyment in sharing the stories of athletes, equipment and events. Sharing his knowledge, Nick has supported the development of Rowing ACT staff through many changes and new faces, spending time with each to help guide each through the administrative side of rowing.
Coach and Athlete
Nick represented Australia at the 1986 Edinburgh Commonwealth Games, as well as the 1984, 1986, 1987 and 1990 World Championships.
Nick began his coaching career in 1988, going on to become the Head Coach of the ACT Academy of Sport (ACTAS) rowing program from 1994-2000, and continuing in a coaching role until 2003. During that time, seven ACTAS athletes were selected for the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, and five for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games. Between 1989 and 2000 Nick ran talent identification programs in the ACT, with 14 athletes subsequently selected to represent Australia and three becoming Olympians. Nick was an Australian team coach between 1990 and 2002, including for the 1990 World Championships, the 1999 and 2000 World Junior Championships, the 2001 and 2002 World Junior Championships, and as Assistant Team Coach for the London 2012 Paralympic Games. Nick continues to coach at the ANU Boat Club on a regular basis.
Umpire
Nick is a World Rowing, Rowing Australia and ACT umpire. He regularly assists in the development of new umpires at all levels in education and assessment. Nick has been a part of the teams that lead the development of rowing umpiring as it currently stands, including the usage of zonal umpiring and the development of Australia’s umpires in Coastal and Beach Sprint Rowing.
Nick has been on Rowing Australia juries as an umpire on multiple occasions since 2006, including seven Australian Rowing Championships. He was President of the Jury at the first Coastal Rowing and Beach Sprint National Championships.
On the world stage, Nick has been on World Rowing juries multiple times. In 2022, Nick served as President of the Jury for the World Rowing Under 19 and Under 23 Championships.
Development and Administration
Nick constantly aims to develop individuals, roles and responsibilities to further the sport of rowing. At an Australian level, he currently sits on the Rowing Australia Umpires Commission, the Coastal Rowing Working Group and the Rowing in Australian Working Group. Internationally, Nick is a member of the World Rowing Umpires Commission, the first Australian to be appointed to this Commission.
During Nick’s time as a member of the Australia Sports Commission, he was an integral part of the business case and development of the $2.2million expansion of Rowing Australia House and AIS Rowing Centre in Yarralumla, now the Men’s National Training Centre.
In 2016, Nick was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his service to the rowing community. Nick has said he keeps showing up because of what rowing has given to him, and there is no denying his dedication to the sport of rowing.
Rowing ACT is very pleased to announce our ACT Interstate Team to compete at Lake Barrington in Tasmania at the Australian Rowing Championships.
These crews will represent the ACT in distinction, and join the ACT’s rich history of interstate representatives. In Tasmania, our debutants will join the likes of Sarah Cook OLY, Kathryn Ross, Nikki Ayers PLY, Caleb Antill, Jaime Fernandez OLY, Tom Westgarth and Luke Letcher, and so many others that have represented the ACT with great pride and distinction.
When these athletes take to the water in Tasmania, they will be wearing the ACT crest with great pride. We encourage all our ACT representatives, past and present to wear the crest with pride. To take pride in yourselves, your crews and your state.
Our crews for the Interstate Regatta are:
Presidents Cup for the Men’s Single – Hamish Harding #299
Nell Slater Trophy for the Women’s Single – Catherine Khan #363
Penrith Cup for the Lightweight Men’s Four – Matthew Rickard (#365), Oliver Manning (#371), George Bowditch (#372), Garvan Hayes (#373) Alex Tomanovits (Reserve)
Victoria’s Cup for the Lightweight Women’s Quad – Alexandra Moylan (#325), Ruby Gray (#368), Ronja Staerker-Ashby (#369), Abbyghail Richards (#370)
Noel Wilkinson Cup for the Men’s Youth Eight – Jesse Rosin (#374), Darcy James (#375), James Robson (#376), Max McAlpine (#377), Dylan Outram (#378), Cameron Schmidt (#379), Harrison Braithwaite (#380), Benjamin Haywood (#381) and Moira Geraghty (#382), Angus Scott and Campbell Milne (Reverses)
Good luck to all!
The Nominations for the 2025 Interstate and Pathways Teams are now open. The policy for Senior and Youth Team Members can be found here. This policy is the same as 2024.
The 2025 Senior and Youth Team Interstate Processes can be found here. The nominations for Senior Team Members close Friday 20th December 2024, whilst nominations for Youth Team Members close Wednesday 15th January 2025. Nominations for both teams may be made here
Nominations for the 2025 School Pathways Squad are also open. The policy for the Pathways Squad may be found here. The processes for the 2025 School Pathways Squad can be found here
Nominations for the School Pathways Squads are now open and will close on Wednesday 15 January 2025 at 5pm. Nominations may be made here.
The Annual General Meeting will be held at 6:30pm, Tuesday 29th October 2024, at the Canberra Grammar School Rowing Centre. Please see the agenda and biographies of the nominees for the two elected director positions.
Rowing ACT is searching for an enthusiastic person to join our small team as an events and participation officer. The successful candidate would support the Executive Officer in the delivery of major events and stakeholder engagements, as well as the administration of the ACT Interstate Teams and other events.
For more information, interested individuals should head to the Job Description or email eo@rowingact.org.au
The Annual General Meeting for Rowing ACT Association Inc. will be held on Tuesday 29th October at the Canberra Grammar School Rowing Centre, commencing at 6:30pm.
All members of the community are welcome to attend, although only one member per club or school may act as a voting proxy.
During this meeting, there will be two director positions for election. If you are interested in, or know of someone who would be a suitable nominee for an elected director position, please fill out the following form and email it to Sarah at eo@rowingact.org.au by close of business Monday 21st October 2024.
We at Rowing ACT are so incredibly proud of our home grown legend, Nikki Ayers PLY who last night claimed Australian first ever Paralympic Gold Medal with double partner Jed Altschwager.
Nikki started from small beginnings here on Lake Burley Griffin with Capital Lakes Rowing Club Canberra and the ACT Academy of Sport not that many years ago, and we are so incredibly proud to have seen her grow to a Paralympic champion. From LBG to Nikki’s adopted training ground over with Rowing South Australia she and Jed have done the country proud.
Beyond the water, Nikki is true symbol of hope and achievement. She is an ambassador for Thrive with Pride, moonlights as a registered nurse when not smashing it as a paralympic rower and a great example of what determination and courage can lead to.
Nikki, all of Canberra is so very, very proud of you!
For more on Nikki and Jed’s incredible efforts, check out the Rowing Australia article on their race here.