Next Stop: Nanjing, China

This week, a group of our rowers have packed their bags and headed to China to compete at the Inaugural Sino-Australian Rowing & Dragon Boat Challenge, a brand-new event bringing together athletes from both nations for a week of racing, cultural exchange, and friendly competition.

For our crew, this is more than just another regatta. Dragon boat racing is a discipline steeped in centuries of tradition, and stepping into that world offers our rowers a chance to test their skills in an entirely new format, one built on rhythm, teamwork, and split-second synchronisation in ways that differ from the sweep and sculling boats they're used to. It's a fantastic opportunity to grow as athletes, adapt to new challenges, and bring home lessons that will strengthen the way they train and race back home.

Being part of the inaugural edition of this challenge also carries its own significance. Our rowers are helping lay the foundation for what we hope becomes a lasting exchange between Australian and Chinese rowing communities, building relationships, sharing knowledge, and growing the sport on both sides of the world.

Beyond the racing, the week promises to be a rich cultural experience: new traditions to learn, a new city to explore, and the chance to connect with athletes from a completely different rowing culture. It's exactly the kind of experience that shapes not just better athletes, but better teammates and ambassadors for the sport.

Good luck to the whole team in Nanjing. We can't wait to hear how you go!