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I started rowing at a high school after being a swimmer my whole life. I rowed at Melbourne Girls Grammar and the sport really opened up my eyes to how important teams are. By rowing with all my school friends & competing I started to learn so many important life skills. One being to never let your team down. Once I finished high school I then decided to continue rowing with Mercantile where I formed brand new friendships & was surrounded by a whole new level of rowing. 

Rowing has taught me so much over the years from discipline & accountability, to learning what it’s like to challenge yourself and reach new limits with your crew by your side. Rowing has also allowed me to go & race at many stunning lakes & rivers within Victoria & even racing in Penrith at SIIR in NSW.

I believe everyone should try rowing, in theory it’s a very simple sport, but in practice it challenges you in so many ways. The satisfaction you get from taking a good stroke and moving the boat over the water smoothly is unbeatable, and addictive! There is something so unique about rowing in terms of you never doing it alone. You will always have someone in a boat there with you or a coach on the side to make sure you’re doing your best & enjoying yourself at the same time. Rowing is a great team sport which is like no other in all the best ways possible. I’ve met friends for life through rowing and experiences I’ll cherish always.

Meet our Team: Xanthe Hadfield

Meet our Team: Xanthe Hadfield

Sport has always played an important part of my life, but It wasn’t love at first sight when I initially tried my hand at rowing at school. I was predominantly a competitive ballroom dancer, more concerned with getting blisters on my feet rather than my hands! After...

Meet our Team: Thais Umbelino

Meet our Team: Thais Umbelino

Thais joined TopRow in 2019 because she wanted a flexible job that would fit in around her studying. Now that Thais has graduated from university she has more time and wanted to take the opportunity to get more involved in TopRow Putney. Thais Learnt to row in Brazil...

Meet our Team: Melanie Perkins

Meet our Team: Melanie Perkins

Having learnt to row with a laid back university club in York (UK), I didn’t know what I was getting into when I later joined my local club in London with a 6 day a week training program. I was soon hooked. With the club spirit and vision of winning shiny pots, rowing...