London – From the scenic Olympic waters of England to the breathtaking surf of Italy’s Mediterranean coast, South African rowers are proving their ability to succeed in different rowing formats on international stages.
Recently, both the nation’s emerging school talent and experienced coastal rowers proudly represented South Africa in two distinct settings.
The South African Schools Rowing Union (SASRU) Under-16 squad had an unforgettable experience during their tour in the United Kingdom, while Murray Bales-Smith and Violante Lama competed against some of the world’s best coastal rowers at the Filippi Lido Trophy in Naples, Italy.
These performances signify a promising start to the international season and highlight the growing depth of South African rowing across various disciplines.
SASRU Under-16 Squad Gains Valuable International Experience
The SASRU Under-16 touring squad, comprising 27 athletes from 11 premier South African schools, departed South Africa on April 29 for a developmental tour in the UK.
The squad featured schools from Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, showcasing the strength and diversity of school rowing in the nation.
Participating schools included 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 faced a 15-hour flight delay upon arriving in England, driven by the excitement of an unforgettable opportunity.
Before their first session on the water, the athletes toured Windsor Castle and experienced the Changing of the Guard, giving them an iconic start 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 clinched its first Olympic gold medal in rowing.
For these athletes, rowing in such historic waters was both inspirational and a significant milestone.
The South African team participated in the prestigious Wallingford Regatta and the Junior Sculling Regatta at Dorney Lake.
The highlight was the Under-16 girls’ quad scull, which won its event at the Wallingford Regatta.
Other noteworthy performances included:
- Taylor Prinsloo from St Mary’s School, Waverley, securing second place in the Under-18 women’s single sculls at the Wallingford Regatta.
- The South African Under-15 boys’ double scull finishing second in its event at the Junior Sculling Regatta.
Rowing South Africa and SASRU express their sincere 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.
Beyond 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 exceeded expectations, providing lessons that will shape their future development.
The team also visited the esteemed Leander Club, where Richard Egington hosted them for an engaging 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, traveled to Naples, Italy, from May 9 to 11 to compete in the renowned Filippi Lido Trophy, supported by coach Bill Godfrey.
This event attracted many top beach sprint athletes from around the world, offering a vital early-season opportunity to evaluate performance.
For Bales-Smith, this marked his first international regatta since finishing eighth at the 2025 World Rowing Coastal Championships.
He put forth a strong performance in the time trial, finishing eighth and demonstrating marked progress against a world-class field.
In the knockout round, changing sea conditions proved to be a pivotal factor.
Choosing what appeared to be the faster lane, Bales-Smith faced tough waves on the return leg, hindering his speed, which ultimately led to a 12th overall finish.
Reflecting on the weekend, Bales-Smith remarked: “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 faced a tough international field and did not advance to the knockout rounds, but she rallied 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 bode well as South African crews prepare for a busy and significant international campaign.
Several of the nation’s elite athletes are poised to compete at the upcoming World Rowing Cup Lucerne and the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta.
Among the crews to watch 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 set to compete at the World Rowing Under-19 and Under-23 Championships, further underscoring the depth of emerging talent within the South African system.
Thank You to RMB
Rowing South Africa extends its heartfelt appreciation to Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) for their continued support of South African rowing.
RMB’s partnership plays a crucial role in providing opportunities for athletes to compete internationally, gain invaluable experience, and consistently strive for excellence on the world stage.
Through this support, South African rowers can challenge themselves against the best globally, returning home stronger, more experienced, and motivated for the upcoming season.
For more information, visit www.rowsa.co.za or follow @rowingrsa on Instagram.
