South African Young Rowers Proudly Represent Their Nation Worldwide

London – From the picturesque Olympic waters of England to the stunning surf of Italy’s Mediterranean coast, South African rowers are showcasing their capability to excel in various rowing formats on global stages.

In recent weeks, both the country’s up-and-coming school talent and seasoned coastal rowers proudly represented South Africa in two distinct environments.

The South African Schools Rowing Union (SASRU) Under-16 squad had a remarkable experience during their tour in the United Kingdom, while Murray Bales-Smith and Violante Lama faced off against some of the world’s elite coastal rowers at the Filippi Lido Trophy in Naples, Italy.

These performances mark a promising beginning to the international season and underscore the expanding depth of South African rowing across diverse disciplines.

SASRU Under-16 Squad Gains Valuable International Experience

The SASRU Under-16 touring squad, made up of 27 athletes from 11 top South African schools, left South Africa on April 29 for a development tour in the UK.

The squad included schools from Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, showcasing the strength and diversity of school rowing in South Africa.

Participating schools encompassed Holy Rosary School, St Mary’s School, Waverley, St Stithians Girls College, St Stithians Boys College, St Benedict’s College, St Alban’s College, St Andrew’s School for Girls, St Dunstan’s College, Hilton College, Jeppe High School for Boys, and King Edward VII School.

The team overcame a 15-hour flight delay upon their arrival in England, eager to seize an unforgettable opportunity.

Before their maiden session on the water, the athletes toured Windsor Castle and witnessed the Changing of the Guard, providing an iconic introduction to their journey.

The squad trained and competed at Dorney Lake, the historic venue of the rowing events during the London 2012 Olympic Games, where South Africa secured its first Olympic gold medal in rowing.

For these athletes, rowing on such historic waters was both an inspiration and a significant milestone.

The South African team participated in the esteemed Wallingford Regatta and the Junior Sculling Regatta held at Dorney Lake.

The highlight was the Under-16 girls’ quad scull, which triumphed in its event at the Wallingford Regatta.

Other noteworthy performances included:

• Taylor Prinsloo from St Mary’s School, Waverley, finishing second in the Under-18 women’s single sculls at Wallingford Regatta.
• The South African Under-15 boys’ double scull securing second place in its event at the Junior Sculling Regatta.

Rowing South Africa and SASRU express their heartfelt gratitude to Eton College for generously providing the use of boats and facilities, as well as to the Dorney Lake staff for their unwavering support throughout the tour.

Apart from the races, athletes described the tour as a transformative experience, offering valuable insights into training and competition standards beyond South Africa.

The quality of coaching and facilities surpassed expectations and provided lessons that will influence their future development.

The team also had the opportunity to visit the renowned Leander Club, where Richard Egington hosted them for an insightful discussion and a tour of the boathouse and gym.

Coastal Rowers Test Themselves in Naples

Leading South African coastal rowers, Murray Bales-Smith and Violante Lama, journeyed to Naples, Italy, from May 9 to 11 to compete in the prestigious Filippi Lido Trophy, with support from coach Bill Godfrey.

This event attracted many of the world’s top beach sprint athletes, offering a crucial early-season chance to assess performance.

For Bales-Smith, this marked his first international regatta since finishing eighth at the 2025 World Rowing Coastal Championships.

He delivered a solid performance in the time trial, finishing eighth and demonstrating clear progress against a world-class field.

In the knockout round, shifting sea conditions proved to be a decisive factor.

Opting for what seemed to be the faster lane, Bales-Smith found himself challenged by tough waves on the return leg, preventing him from maintaining his speed, ultimately concluding in 12th overall.

Reflecting on the weekend, Bales-Smith stated: “One key takeaway from this weekend is that I’m closer to the top guys in the time trials than I was at World Champs last year.”

Violante Lama encountered a challenging international field and did not advance to the knockout rounds, yet she responded admirably to win the Club division, showcasing both her resilience and competitive spirit.

A Promising Start to an Exciting International Season

These early-season performances signal a positive outlook as South African crews gear up for a busy and significant international campaign.

Several of the nation’s elite athletes are set to compete at the upcoming World Rowing Cup Lucerne and the illustrious Henley Royal Regatta.

Among the crews to keep an eye on are:

• Christopher Baxter in the men’s single sculls
• Kat Williams and Courtney Westley in the women’s pair
• Paige Badenhorst in the women’s single sculls

Additionally, a selection regatta held on May 9 and 10 identified the junior and Under-23 crews that will represent South Africa later this year.

A number of talented young athletes are poised to compete at the World Rowing Under-19 and Under-23 Championships, further emphasizing the depth of emerging talent within the South African system.

Thank You to RMB

Rowing South Africa extends its heartfelt thanks to Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) for their ongoing support of South African rowing.

RMB’s partnership plays a crucial role in providing opportunities for athletes to compete internationally, gain invaluable experience, and continue pursuing excellence on the world stage.

Through this support, South African rowers can test their skills against the best globally, returning home stronger, more experienced, and motivated for the season ahead.

For more information, visit ww.rowsa.co.za or follow @rowingrsa on Instagram.