Swan River Rowing Club’s David Watts with Australian rowing team crewmate Chris Morgan.
Camera IconSwan River Rowing Club’s David Watts with Australian rowing team crewmate Chris Morgan. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

Swan Rowing Club claims 20 medals at National Rowing Championships

Headshot of Josh Zimmerman
Josh ZimmermanMelville Gazette

THE Swan River Rowing Club, headlined by Australian selection David Watts, claimed 20 medals during the weeklong National Rowing Championships in Penrith last month.

The Swans team, comprised of 23 rowers, came home with seven gold medals, seven silvers and six bronze, good enough to rank the club seventh in the country and just one medal behind the joint fifth-place getters.

A total of 186 clubs entered the regatta and 32 Swans crews made ‘A’ finals.

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Among the highlights was the performance of Watts – named in the Australian team to row at forthcoming World Rowing Cups – who won gold in the open men’s double and quad sculls.

Cameron Fowler and Mattias Johansson claimed gold in the open lightweight men’s coxless pair and four.

Perry Ward crossed first in the open lightweight men’s double scull and there was more gold in the Under-23 men’s quadruple scull through Sam Marsh and the Under-19 men’s double scull through Matteo Sandrelli.

Swans rowers were also well represented in State crews, with 11 earning State selection and a further two chosen as reserves.

Swan River club president Alan Stewart said the results demonstrated the club’s approach to developing a sustainable high performance program in WA was paying dividends.

“While we celebrate the outstanding individual results we no less celebrate an outstanding team effort from our young rowers, the coaching team led by Antonio Maurogiovanni and the small army of parents and other club members who supported the effort over many months of preparation,” he said.

Club captain Lachlan Chapman highlighted the performance of the men’s club eight, which claimed silver.

“We now have the second-fastest men’s crew in the country and basically all of the guys in the boat are either still in or just out of school,” he said.

“It was a really special week to watch our youngsters get some exposure at that level and walk away with not only experience but a few medals as well.

“It’s good to know that the high performance pathway we offer works.”