The 2025 World Rowing Championship men's four training at Lake Karapiro: Flynn Watson in stroke seat, Campbell Crouch, Zack Rumble and Matthew Dunham in bow seat. Photo / Picture Show Ltd
The 2025 World Rowing Championship men's four training at Lake Karapiro: Flynn Watson in stroke seat, Campbell Crouch, Zack Rumble and Matthew Dunham in bow seat. Photo / Picture Show Ltd
The world of rowing has gone full throttle and New Zealand is right in the thick of it.
With the World Championships in Shanghai just around the corner, Rowing NZ has unveiled a 17-strong squad that’s packed with international experience, fresh energy, and a few surprises.
Simon Wickham, chief executiveof Rowing NZ, joined Waikato’s All Sports Breakfast recently to unpack the whirlwind of selections, strategy, and what lies ahead.
“It’s been a big few weeks,” Wickham said.
“We’ve got teams heading away and one big team about to go. The selection panel had a tough job, so many athletes stepping up.”
Rowing NZ is embracing a global talent pipeline, with athletes training at top United States universities such as UC Berkeley, Syracuse, and Northeastern, alongside New Zealand institutions like Otago and Lincoln.
Athletes in this year’s Under-23 men’s eight squad include a mix of Kiwi athletes drawn from across New Zealand and the US, like Matthew Waddell (Waikato Rowing Club and UC Berkeley), Cody Johnson (Avon Rowing Club), Fred Vavasour (Wairau Rowing Club) and Nicholas Bryan (West End Rowing Club/Syracuse University).
“Different approaches from around the world are making our mix stronger,” Wickham said.
“Coaches have their eyes and ears open, and our general manager of performance, Judith Hamilton, is always scouting new ways of working when we’re competing at international events.
“We’re always learning, always evolving. That’s what helps keep us competitive.”
He said rowing was not one of those sports where talent could rocket to the top overnight, but demanded patience, grit, and years of development.
“The average age of our Paris team was 28.
Rowing NZ chief executive Simon Wickham.
“Most athletes have a decade of hard work after leaving school before they reach the elite level.”
The journey typically starts with the Maadi Regatta and secondary school rowing, followed by U19 representation.
From there, athletes may train in New Zealand clubs and universities or head overseas, often to American universities, before returning to compete for spots in the U23 team and from then the elite squad.
“It’s not five minutes to the top.
“It’s a long game, and we’re seeing the strategy to adopt multi-entry points to our pathway pay off.”
One of the new developments is the debut of a mixed eight crew at the World Championships, a first for world rowing.
