About Rowing SA
Rowing is one of Australia’s oldest and most successful sports — Edward “Ned” Trickett won the nation’s first sporting World Championship in it back in 1867, and it remains a cornerstone Olympic sport today. It’s a low-impact, non-contact sport accessible across all ages, and many participants keep rowing well into later life. The recent addition of Beach Sprint (Coastal) Rowing to the 2028 Olympic Games opens up exciting new pathways for the sport.
Rowing South Australia (Rowing SA) is the State sporting body for rowing in South Australia, based at the nationally accredited regatta course at West Lakes Shore. As an Incorporated Association, Rowing SA supports more than 1,800 active members across schools, universities, clubs and masters rowing, overseeing recreational and competitive programs statewide, a full regatta season, and club and coach development.
Working closely with the South Australian Sports Institute (SASI), Rowing SA provides State Development Pathways that prepare emerging athletes for progression to Australia’s National Training Centres in Canberra and Penrith. The organisation is underpinned by a strong volunteer and officials’ network that ensures the safe, successful delivery of regattas and events across the state.
Our history
Rowing SA traces its administrative roots to the South Australian Rowing Association (SARA), which was coordinating the sport in the state from at least the 1880s. Rowing SA Incorporated is the modern successor to that body, and has long been supported by vice-regal patronage, with the Governor of South Australia traditionally serving as Patron.
Rowing SA’s home at West Lakes was established in 1978, with the administration building and viewing platform completed the year before. The site has since been expanded in stages — new boat sheds added in 1998, 2003 and 2014, a finish tower in 2010, and a SASI office and indoor rowing room in 2018 — as it approaches its 50th year at West Lakes.