SUBC in Shenzhen

A group of SUBC athletes recently travelled to Shenzhen, China, to compete at the 5th Shenzhen X9 Alliance of Universities and Institutions World Rowing League in the Student Mixed 8+ event.

The crew of Emily Walker, Audrey Stitger, Trephon Stambolie, Luke Purdie, Henry Slatter, Sebastian Atterton, Alice Ready, Scarlett Woodbury and Lilee Lunney delivered an outstanding performance, winning their division and recording the fastest time of any crew at the regatta.

Beyond the racing, the team immersed themselves in Chinese culture through dumpling making, calligraphy, and fan painting, while also visiting the Harbin Institute of Technology's Shenzhen robotics and AI laboratory. The athletes even contributed ideas to a workshop exploring how human-robot interaction could support economic growth in rural communities.

Of course, no Australian cultural exchange would be complete without a Nutbush performance at the gala banquet!

Congratulations to all involved on a memorable trip, new friendships, and an impressive result on the international stage. 💙💛

The Boat Club would like to thank Lilee Lunney, who took on the role crew coxswain, coach, and manager for the tour.

A note from the organizers' Facebook page:

The fifth Shenzhen X9 Alliance of Universities and Institutes Rowing League roared to life on June 28, cutting through the Dasha River in Nanshan with speed, teamwork, and competitive energy. The X9 Alliance is a collaborative network of universities and research institutions based in Shenzhen's X-Lake Sciensity, including Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen University, and others. Thirteen teams from the X9 Alliance of Universities and Institutes, as well as universities in Hong Kong, Macao, and overseas, including Oxford and Cambridge, gathered in Shenzhen, each bringing its own spirit and style to the race. Beyond the race, the competition has become a bridge for international exchange—a place where academia meets athleticism, and where students from different countries and cultures discover common interests. They cheered for one another across language barriers, united by a shared love for the water and the sport.