Sydney University Boat Club ‘SUBC’ is currently in training for the International Universities Rowing Regatta (IURR). Sydney University has been invited as guests of the Chinese Rowing Association with the regatta aimed at attracting attention and participation in the sport of rowing throughout China. The Sydney University crew will be up against stiff competition in the 12-boat event, with crews from Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard and Yale attending, along with a number of top universities from Asia.The International Universities Rowing Regatta (IURR) comprises of three main competitions, with a number of cultural and official functions. The first event is a number of 2000m on water races held at The Shanghai Water Sports Center on Dianshanhu Lake, in the Qingpu District. The second competition is more of a spectator event, with a 2000m ergometer test being held in the main stadium of Shanghai Jiao Tong University, all of the Sydney University crew will be required to complete an individual 2000m erg, with the scores being added up to decide the winning crew. The third and final competitive aspect of the regatta is a 6000m race on The Huang Pu River in central Shanghai. Cultural events planned for the trip include a river cruise with all teams on the first night in China, a series of tourists activities planned by the organising committee, and what is set to be the off water highlight of the trip, a number of performances by each crew attending the regatta. The Sydney Uni crew has had Jacob Bicknell practicing for long hours on the guitar for this particular event, with the remainder of the crew working on vocal backing.
The Sydney Uni crew is yet to be finalized with a squad of nine rowers traveling, along with a cox and two coaches. Hamish Playfair, Kit Cunningham-Reid, Andrew Judge, Jack Hanley, Jack Cook, Angus Robinson, Tom Whitehead, Campbell Watts and Jacob Bicknell. With coxswain Will Raven and coaches Tom Sacre and Tom Minifie.
The crew will be conducting a training and racing camp, to coincide with The Trans Tasman Rowing Regatta in Brisbane in the weeks prior to departing for China. A development eight from Sydney University Boat Club, comprising primarily of current school students and an Open Eight from Sydney University Women’s Rowing Club will also attend the training camp and be racing in Brisbane, with the culmination of the Brisbane leg of the trip being a 12.5km race as part of the Brisbane River Challenge. The races in Brisbane will be 9-11th July.