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Queensland is proud to host the Oceania U22 Teams Rowing Championships at the Queensland State Rowing Centre, Lake Wyaralong, bringing together the region’s most promising under-22 athletes for a high-performance international regatta. Crews from across Oceania will compete in sculling and sweep events across men’s, women’s and para categories, with teams accumulating points throughout the championship in pursuit of overall honours.

The team that accrues the most points in sculling events across men’s, women’s and para categories will be awarded the Noel Donaldson Cup, presented at the Official OTRC Event Dinner.

The team that accrues the most points across both sculling and sweep events in men’s, women’s and para categories will be awarded the Rusty Robertson Trophy and earn the title of Oceania U22 Team Champions, also presented at the Official OTRC Event Dinner.

The event not only showcases emerging rowing talent from the Oceania region, but also provides an important stepping stone for athletes transitioning between junior and elite competition levels during a highly competitive and team-based format.

Further information, including the handbook, can be found here.

 

ELIGIBILITY


The event will be open to athletes that meet the following eligibility criteria:

AGE
must have reached the age of 18 as at the first day of competition must be 21 as at the 31st of December in the year of competition. Para athletes are to be under 27 as at the 31st of December in the year of competition.

DOMICILE & REPRESENTATION
For athletes representing Australian States & Territories: Athletes shall meet the representation requirements of rule 17.3 of the Rowing Australia with the ‘Youth Rower’ requirements of rule 17.3.2.1.2 applying to all athletes competing in the OTRC.

For athletes representing New Zealand North and South Islands: A set of domicile & representation guidelines should be formulated in consultation with these bodies for use at the OTRC.

For athletes representing visiting countries: A set of representation guideline should be formulated for visiting countries.

 

RULES

The OTRC will utilise the Rowing Australia Rules of Racing unless otherwise specified in this document.

DISPUTES & APPEALS
Any dispute relating to the conduct of racing will be managed by the President of the Jury and the Jury as per the Rowing Australia Rules of Racing.

Any dispute not relating to the conduct of racing will be managed by a panel comprised of the President of the Jury, the RA National Event & Competition Manager, and the Regatta Operations Manager of the host state. Any decision of this panel will be final.

TEAM SIZE
Each team is entitled to bring a maximum of 11 athletes. This is to be comprised of 9 x rowing athletes (of any weight), 1 x Para athlete for either gender and 1 coxswain of any gender.

Phase 1 EVENTS
Each team must enter at least one crew in each of the following events: 1x, 2x and 2-. These entries will require a minimum of five athletes. The remaining four athletes may be entered in any combination of these three events.

All heats and finals for Phase 1 will be conducted on Day 1.

Phase 2 EVENTS
Phase 2 on day 2 will be run as straight finals in the following events: 4+, 4x, PR2 and 8+.

4+ with 4 athletes plus coxswain. 4x with 4 athletes. Mixed 2x with the reserve athletes from the men’s and women’s 4+ and 4x events. 8+ with 8 athletes plus coxswain.

Mixed 4x with the 2 reserve athletes from the 8+ crews (women and men), combined with 2 athletes from another team to form up to four evenly balanced crews. 

CREW CHANGES
Crew changes (regardless of number) are permitted up until 30 minutes prior to the first race of that event. No crew changes will be accepted once the first race of that event has commenced.

Changes may be made:
At the Regatta Secretaries desk during competition hours
Online via Rowing Manager
By email to regatta@rowingqld.com.au

COXSWAINS
Any coxswain can cox male or female crews. Standard coxswain weights and weigh in protocols will be in place.

PARA ATHLETES
Formal classification is required for para athletes to take part in the OTRC. Para athletes must be under 27 years of age. Events for para athletes will be given maximum flexibility in order to cater for a wide variety of abilities and ensure a valuable experience for participants.

DNS, DNF, & INV CREWS
Crews that are ‘By Invitation’ in the Heats will be progressed into the outside lane of the lowest Final if a lane is available as a ‘By Invitation’ crew and will not be eligible for points. Crews that are ‘DNF’ in the Heats will be progressed into the outside lane of the lowest Final and will be eligible to compete for points. Crews that are ‘DNS’ without explanation will be considered scratched and will not be progressed to the Finals.

Where a suitable explanation is provided in a reasonable timeframe crews that are ‘DNS’ in a Heat may be progressed into the outside lane of the lowest Final if a lane is available as a ‘By Invitation’ crew and will not be eligible for points.

 

ENTRIES

Teams must submit their intended boat class entries via Rowing Manager by 3:00pm on the Monday prior to competition commencement.

Each state enters a full team, and all team members are full participants who will earn points toward their team total.

If a team chooses not to enter a particular boat class, no penalty applies; however, they will forgo the opportunity to earn points in that event. Teams are strongly encouraged to enter all races.

 

POINTS

All athletes who race will earn points contributing to their team total. Composite crews formed for the Mixed 4x will earn points on a pro-rata basis toward their respective team tallies.

1 point for competing + 1 point for every place gained per athlete (based on entries at Final Start List for Event Heats).

With following multipliers in place:
Phase 1 events = x1 | Phase 2 events = x4 | Phase 3 events = x8
Points to be awarded pro-rata where composite crews have been permitted to compete.

 

TROPHIES & AWARDS

The Team that accrues the most points in sculling events across men’s/women’s/para events will be awarded the Noel Donaldson Cup. This will be presented at the Official OTRC Event Dinner.

The Team that accrues the most points in sculling and sweep events across men’s/women’s/para events will be awarded the Rusty Robertson Trophy and the title of Oceania U22 Team Champions.

This will be presented at the Official OTRC Event Dinner.

FRIDAY
  
7:00 - 8:00 Course Open - Training
7:45 - 8:15 Issy Gerber - Strength & Mobility
   
9:00 8   Men's Double ScullHeat 1 2000
9:15 9   Heat 2 2000
9:30 10 Women's Double ScullHeat 1 2000
9:45 1   Men's Single ScullHeat 1 2000
10:00 2   Heat 2 2000
10:15 3   Women's Single ScullHeat 1 2000
10:30 4   Heat 2 2000
10:45 5   Men's PairHeat 1 2000
11:00 6   Heat 2 2000
11:15 7   Women's PairHeat 1 2000
   
11:45 - 12:30 John Bowes - Rowing Scolarships in the USA
   
1:15 18  Men's Double ScullB Final 2000
1:30 19  Final 2000
1:45 20  Women's Double ScullFinal 2000
2:00 11  Men's Single ScullB Final 2000
2:15 12  Final 2000
2:30 13  Women's Single ScullB Final 2000
2:45 14  Final 2000
3:00 15  Men's PairB Final 2000
3:15 16  Final 2000
3:30 17  Women's PairFinal 2000
   
SATURDAY
  
7:00 - 8:30 Course Open - Training
8:15 - 8:45 Issy Gerber - Strength & Mobility
   
9:15 Invitation Men's Pairs Final 2000
9:30 22  Mixed Double ScullFinal 2000
9:45 23  Mens Quad ScullFinal 2000
10:00 25  Men's Coxed FourFinal 2000
10:15 24  Womens Quad ScullFinal 2000
10:30 26  Women's Coxed FourFinal 2000
10:45 Invitational Men's 8 Final 2000
   
11:00 - 11:45 Ria Thomson - From U21 to the Olympic Stage
   
12:30 30  Mixed Quad Scull Final 2000
12:45 28  Men's EightFinal 2000
1:00 29  Women's EightFinal 2000
   
1:30 - 2:00 Presentation
2:30 - 4:00 Boat loading & Pack down

FRIDAY

11:45am - 12:30pm  I   John Bowes  I   Rowing Scholarships in the USA: Pathways Beyond School 

For many talented rowers, the opportunity to study in the United States while competing in one of the world’s strongest collegiate rowing systems can be a life-changing pathway.

In this session, John Bowes will provide a practical guide to how the U.S. college rowing system works, including scholarship opportunities, recruitment processes, academic expectations, and what coaches look for in international athletes. He will explain how athletes can position themselves for recruitment, timelines to be aware of, and the realities of balancing high-performance rowing with university study.

This presentation is designed for U22 athletes considering their next step after school or club rowing, offering clear insights into the pathway, the benefits of the experience, and the preparation required to pursue a rowing scholarship in the United States.

 

FRIDAY & SATURDAY

7:45am - 8:15am  I   Issy Gerber  I   Strength & Mobility for Racing - Inspire Health Services

Rowing places significant demands on the body, particularly during periods of high training and racing. Developing strength, mobility and good movement patterns is critical not only for performance, but also for injury prevention and recovery.

In this session, Issy Gerber from Inspire Health Services will guide athletes through practical strategies to improve mobility, movement efficiency and race readiness. The session will focus on the physical demands of rowing and provide athletes with tools and exercises they can incorporate into their own training and recovery routines.

Designed specifically for rowers, this practical session will help athletes better understand how strength, mobility and recovery work together to support consistent training and racing performance throughout the season.

 

SATURDAY

11:00 - 11:45pm   I   Ria Thompson   I   From U21 to the Olympic Stage

For many young rowers, competing at Under 21 level is an important step in the athlete pathway. It is often the stage where athletes begin to understand what is required to progress to Under 23, senior national teams and, for some, the Olympic Games.

In this session, Ria Thompson will share her personal journey through the Australian rowing pathway, from representing Australia at junior and Under 21 level through to Under 23 and senior international competition, and ultimately selection for the Olympic Games.

Ria will reflect on the lessons she learned during her time in the Under 21 team, the challenges of balancing high-performance rowing with university study, and the discipline and resilience required to continue progressing in the sport.

For many athletes competing at this regatta, you are standing at a similar point in your own pathway. Ria will share the experiences, habits and mindset that helped her take the next step from Under 21 competition to the highest levels of international rowing.

 

SATURDAY

12:30pm  I  Medal Presentations

To celebrate the 2026 Oceania U22 Teams Rowing Championships, special event merchandise and kit will be available for athletes, supporters and spectators. A percentage of all proceeds will go directly towards enhancing the athlete experience during the regatta, helping us bring in guest speakers and support services designed to inspire, educate and support competitors (see the Guest Speaker section for more details).

A full range of official event merchandise will be available through The Regatta Shop, including t-shirts, long sleeve shirts, hoodies, shorts and track pants. Pre-orders can be placed online at: https://www.theregattashop.com.au/collections/2026-oceania-u22-teams-rowing-championships. The Regatta Shop team will also be onsite across both days of the event, where you can collect your pre-orders or pick up additional items. *images shown are indicative, not the complete range, refer to the Regatta Shop website for more images.

Athletes can also purchase a Special Edition Oceania U22 Teams Zootie by Tuck, created specifically for this championship. Pre-orders for both men's and women's zooties (logo and no-logo options) are available through the Rowing Queensland shop at: https://www.rowingqld.asn.au/shop, with collections available from the Rowing Queensland marquee at the regatta. 

 

Take home some event kit to remember this Championship Regatta knowing that your purchase is also helping bring extra support and inspiration to the athletes racing at Oceania U22 Teams in 2026!

FIRST AID SERVICES
Rowing Queensland maintains first aid kits at the Regatta Shed, and an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) is located at back of the Regatta Shed.

TEAM TENTS
Each Team will be allocated a 12 x 12 m space. Marquees, chairs and table can be provided for use by teams upon request. To book contact: membership@rowingqld.com.au

TOILETS & SHOWERS
Toilet facilities are available on site. There is limed space for changing. No showers.

WARM UP AREA
Rowing Queensland will provide 8 ergos in the Regatta Shed to athletes for warm up. The course will open 1 hour prior to racing and 1 hour after racing each day.

Our consulting Physio, Inspire Health Services, will also be onsite each day.

BOAT RACKS & TRAILER PARKING
Boat Racks and Trailer parking will be available. To access with a Boat Trailer enter via the first entrance on the QSRC headland. You will be shown where to park.

CATERING AT THE VENUE
For regatta events at Wyaralong Dam, Rowing Queensland will have caterers on site each day providing coffee, morning tea, afternoon tea and a range of lunch options. These caterers are local operators from the Boonah area who have been partnering with Rowing Queensland and servicing regattas for the past 10 years.

SECURITY
The venue is chain locked each night and the gate to the Dam Access Rd is locked from 5:30pm – 5:30am. Please note however all equipment left at the venue is done so at the owners risk.

VISITOR INFORMATION
Wyaralong Dam is a beautiful, purpose-built recreational facility in the Scenic Rim. The dam and surrounding parklands are managed by SEQwater, and the site is open for public recreational use, except for the Rowing Queensland headland and rowing course, which are reserved for rowing training and competition activities.

All visitors are asked to respect the site rules and follow SEQwater guidelines to ensure a safe, welcoming and enjoyable experience for everyone.

For full site information and conditions of use, visit:
www.seqwater.com.au

PUBLIC USE & ACCESS
Wyaralong Dam is a shared-use recreation area and is popular with walkers, mountain bikers, horse riders, picnickers and families. The Queensland State Rowing Centre operates within a designated area of the site, and access to rowing infrastructure and course areas is restricted during training and event operations.

 

Visitors must follow all posted signage and directions from event officials and SEQwater staff.

 

DOGS & ANIMALS
Dogs and domestic animals are not permitted anywhere within the Wyaralong Dam recreation area, in line with SEQwater land management and safety regulations.

ACCOMMODATION

NZ, NSW, VIC, SA, WA & QLD Teams will be accommodated at the Kooralbyn Valley Resort. 1 Routley Drive, Kooralbyn (near Beaudesert) Queensland.

Accommodation will be available from 2:00pm on the day of arrival to check in. Each room will have 2 double beds, fridge, linen and towels. The resort and motel both have facilities including a swimming pool and proximity to a restaurant/cafe.

 

MEALS & FOOD

Breakfast packs will be provided Friday and Saturday morning in your rooms. Sunday a full buffet breakfast will be provided at the Resort from 7am.

Caterers will be onsite at the QSRC each day providing coffee, morning and afternoon tea and a range of lunch options.

Dinner on Thursday evening will be organised by your team. We strongly recommend booking ahead to avoid disappointment. Beaudesert is a regional community and many venues operate with limited opening hours.

There are several good dining options in Beaudesert (on the way to Kooralbyn):

Logan & Albert Bistro & Bar – recommended
Contact: Cheryl Dawson 0417 348 741

Beaudesert Hotel – pub meals
Railway Hotel – pub meals
Thai Tables – small restaurant
Beaudesert Golf Club

For supermarket items, please refer to the section on Local Shops and Services.

Friday and Saturday evenings will be fully catered at Kooralbyn Valley Resort.

Friday night will include an informal presentation and buffet dinner in the restaurant, followed by a Games Room challenge for those keen to take part.

Saturday night will be the formal presentation dinner, featuring special guest Ria Thomas for a Q&A session. The evening will conclude with a bonfire and kit swap at the local Tavern.

 

LOCAL SHOPS & SERVICES

Kooralbyn
Kooralbyn is a peaceful scenic community in the heart of the Scenic Rim, centred around The Kooralbyn Valley Resort, known for golf, outdoor activities, family-friendly experiences and nature-based recreation. The area offers a relaxed rural setting with some local conveniences including a tavern, general store, service station, pharmacy and café within 5min of the resort.

 

 

 

Beaudesert - Main Service Hub (closest major town)
Beaudesert, about a 25-minute drive from Kooralbyn.
It is the key town for shopping, dining and services in the region.

Shopping & Groceries
IGA, Woolworths, Coles, Aldi & a variety of specialty grocery stores are available.

 

Cafés & Eating
Zarraffa's Coffee Beaudesert and Bean to – great for coffee and casual bites.
Beaudesert Cafe and restaurant & VK Everydays Beaudesert – local café dining.
Cafe 63 Beaudesert Fair – café inside the shopping centre.
Beaudesert Bakehouse – bakery favourites.
Ned's Restaurant – sit-down meal option within the local golf club.

 

 

Fuel
Ampol Foodary Oaklands Beaudesert and Ampol Foodary Beaudesert

 

Pharmacies
Amcal+ Pharmacy Beaudesert Central.
Priceline Pharmacy Beaudesert in the Beaudesert Fair Shopping Centre.

Doctors & Medical Centres
Beaudesert Medical Centre
Beaudesert Family Practice
Doctors @ Beaudesert
Eaglesfield Street Medical Centre

Beaudesert Hospital also has an outpatient pharmacy (community use hours) supported by Metro South Health.

 

Boonah & Kalbar – Charming Country Options

 

Boonah
Boonah is a small historic town on the way from Beaudesert, known for country charm, café culture and local produce. While it’s not as large as Beaudesert, it offers essential shops, small supermarkets, cafés, pubs and artisan food outlets, including heritage sites such as the Boonah Butter Factory café and specialty stores.

 

 

Kalbar
Kalbar is a picturesque valley town with a strong local food and café scene. It has local stores including SPAR. Expressand artisan providers offering fresh produce, bakery items, coffee, pubs and community shopping.

 

Both Boonah and Kalbar offer a great chance to stop for a meal, coffee or to top up supplies.

 

TEAM TRAVEL

Each Team has be allocated 2 x 12 seater busses from Budget (unless otherwise requested), for collection at either the Gold Coast or Brisbane airport on arrival. Each Team Manager is responsible for these vehicles and must register each driver with the rental car company on arrival (if not prior).

 

Car Hire Details
Belinda White, Fleet Manager QLD, Avis Budget Group
Mobile: +61 408 694 455 Email: Belinda.White@abgroup.com.au

 

Please note: any infringements, penalties, offences, fuel excess (or other penalties) inc. damage will be payable by the driver and Rowing Queensland is not liable for this.

At Pick-Up: Review rental agreement and confirm return location and fuel policy. Inspect vehicle for any damage; take photos or videos. Check fuel level matches what’s recorded and ensure vehicle is returned at the same level.

Drop-Off: Vehicles must be returned to the location they were collected from.

 

DISTANCES

GOLD COAST AIRPORT TO QSRC & KOORALBYN VALLEY RESORT
 
Allow 1.5 hours from the Gold Coast Airport to QSRC and 40 min from QSRC to Kooralbyn

 

BRISBANE AIRPORT TO QSRC & KOORALBYN VALLEY RESORT

Link to Google Maps
Allow 1.5 hours from the Brisbane Airport to QSRC and 40 min from QSRC to Kooralbyn