From school rowing in Canberra to the Australian UniRoos, Darcy James reflects on the journey that has shaped him, the people who’ve supported him and the advice he has for the next generation of ACT rowers.
On most mornings at Lake Burley Griffin, before Canberra has fully woken, Darcy James is already on the water. Early starts and long weeks balancing study, work and rowing have become routine. This August, those years of consistency will culminate in Darcy representing Australia in the men’s single scull at the FISU World University Rowing Championships in Canada.
When the selection call came, it was a moment of both excitement and relief.
“I was absolutely stoked. It was an enormous boost of confidence and helped ease a bit of disappointment from being on the cusp but ultimately missing U23 Worlds selection at trials.”
For Darcy, rowing has always been about the process. He first discovered the sport through Marist College Canberra’s junior program, inspired by his older sister’s success. What kept him coming back wasn’t just the competition but the certainty that results are earned through consistent effort.
“The more you put in, the more you get out. A race is decided on training sessions months and years in advance.”
That mindset has carried Darcy through every stage of his development, from school rowing to Canberra Rowing Club and the ACT Academy of Sport. Along the way, he’s been supported by family, coaches and teammates who have helped him grow both on and off the water.
“My parents, Mike and Lisa, have been my biggest supporters from day one,” he says. “I simply couldn’t be more grateful for them, along with my whole family.”
He also credits senior Canberra Rowing Club athletes, including Nick Barnier, James Waldersee, Tom Trobe and Will Legge, for helping him find his place within the club and raising the standard around him.
Today, Darcy balances 20 to 25 hours of training each week alongside a double degree in Law (Honours) and International Security Studies at the Australian National University, as well as part-time work as a paralegal. It demands discipline, careful planning and, at times, sacrifice.
“It’s a full schedule, but I always think that while I’m doing one of the three, I’m resting from the other two.”
Like many athletes, Darcy’s journey hasn’t been without setbacks. Injury tested both his patience and his commitment to the sport, particularly during the transition out of school.
“Coming off my U19 season I had another injury alongside leaving school and I came as close to leaving the sport as I ever have.”
Fortunately, with time came perspective.
“I’ve come to accept that injury is something every athlete faces and it’s just another facet of competition.”
Despite those challenges, representing the ACT has remained valuable to Darcy’s rowing career. Pulling on the blue, gold and white, winning the Noel Donaldson Trophy and stroking ACT representative crews are among the moments he remembers most fondly. Looking ahead, he’s equally passionate about helping ACT crews continue to grow.
His focus, however, remains firmly on improvement rather than outcomes.
“I can’t control who I’m racing against. If I hit my target time, the result will take care of itself.”
It’s a philosophy that extends beyond rowing. While Brisbane 2032 sits in the back of his mind like it does for many young Australian athletes, Darcy’s ambition is simple: become the fastest rower he can be and let the results follow. Away from the water, he’s building a career in law with the same mindset.
“I want to be someone who performs at the elite level in all avenues of life.”
As he prepares to represent Australia, Darcy hasn’t forgotten the community that helped him get here. For young rowers coming through the ACT pathway, his advice is refreshingly simple.
“Just enjoy it. Rowing is one of the most fun and rewarding sports out there and that enjoyment is what keeps you in it long enough to reach your potential.”
He also believes that success is built over time.
“Be patient, be consistent and trust that the hard work compounds over time.”
It’s a message that captures Darcy’s journey perfectly. From school rowing in Canberra to the international stage, his story is one of persistence, perspective and a community that continues to support him every step of the way.
Support Darcy
As Darcy prepares to represent Australia at the FISU World University Rowing Championships, you can support his campaign by making a tax-deductible donation through his Australian Sports Foundation fundraising page here. Every contribution, big or small, helps cover the costs of competing internationally.
The following span closures and traffic flows will be in effect for Phase 3 of the Commonwealth Avenue Bridge Renewal Project as work is commenced on Pier 3. Traffic flows will be in place from Thursday 21st May 2026.
Rowing ACT has requested buoys be placed between Spans 1 and 2 to support the differentiation of the traffic flows.
Dear Rowing ACT Community;
As another regatta season comes to a close, we look back on some of the successes of the past few months, whilst reflecting and refining our processes for seasons to come. Our regattas are the lifeblood of our community and to see so many people continuing to cherish them is truly pleasing.
Regattas are run off the back of dedicated volunteers – from umpires, to commentators, to boat drivers, to regatta support – those who give their time are not unseen and very greatly appreciated. As we commence our planning for the 2026/27 regatta season, we are looking at our volunteer roles and best practise to ensure our regattas are well managed without overloading our member clubs and schools.
Our regattas do not operate without the drive of many. Lead by our Executive Officer (and Regatta Secretary) and Chief BRO, we have a team of umpires who continue to distinguish themselves as a class above. I would like to take this time to acknowledge several umpires in particular who have over several decades done an enormous amount to work to better ACT Regattas.
- Our start and timing systems have been built from the ground up by Geoff Northam and Martin Sessions.
- Our commentary and audio infrastructure has been developed from the ground up by Edwin Bien.
- Our start platforms and boats are regularly managed and maintained by Michael McMahon and supporters.
- The back end of the winter time trials and Col Panton Memorial Marathon has been maintained by Geoff Northam and Edwin Bien.
The things that are often unseen by competitors but are so crucial to our regattas for many years have been the result of significant hard work by volunteers and we thoroughly appreciate their dedication. They have built our practises from the beginning, with very limited resources and we know that we would not be in the same position we are today without them.
While the end of a season is a time for reflection, it is also a time to look forward. Rowing ACT has been the fortunate recipient of grant funding which will enable us to commence a near complete optimisation and replacement of some of our aging regatta systems. This has already commenced, and in the lead into the start of the 2026/27 season, Rowing ACT is preparing to:
- Replace our timing system and associated systems with a product which will future proof and support the ongoing development of our regattas
- Review and update our timing systems for time trial events
- Replace the Weston Park regatta tent with a bespoke mobile office to ensure our regatta hub is well equipped to support racing
- Position fixed cameras to enable live streaming at every regatta
In future years under the Industry Partnership Program, we hope to replace our audio systems across both racing and commentary as part of the final stage of ensuring all our regatta systems are future proofed and capable of hosting every regatta in the ACT – local, championship and beyond. We know there will be teething problems as we integrate new systems into our current process, and ask for your patience as we strive to achieve our best. We are confident that we are building towards something truly great.
We are excited to bring the Rowing ACT community along with us in this development journey. This opportunity marks a time where Rowing ACT has the chance to engage leaders in their field and to incorporate new opportunities, many of which we have not previously had capacity for. We are eternally grateful for the work of our umpires who built the current systems, and we look forward to taking the next step towards something truly special.
Kind regards
Kent Peters
Rowing ACT President