Simon Keenan
Melbourne University Boat Club (VIC)
Simon’s journey in rowing began at Xavier College in Melbourne, where he made waves in the First Eight during his final year. In 2010, he took to the waters of the Henley Royal Regatta, fiercely competing and ultimately clinching victory in the Fawley Cup. The following year, donning the colours of Melbourne University, Simon not only triumphed in the U23 coxed four and eight but also led Victoria to glory in the Interstate Youth Eight. That winter, he further etched his name in history with a second Henley win in the Thames Challenge Cup. These remarkable achievements caught the attention of Yale, offering him a prestigious scholarship that would see him racing in the varsity team from 2011 to 2015.
2013 marked a pivotal moment in Simon's career as he donned the Australian colours for the first time in the U23 coxed four, finishing just shy of a medal in fourth place. But he didn't let this setback define him; the following year, he returned with renewed determination, earning a silver medal in the men’s eight, finishing behind a formidable New Zealand crew.
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2013 World Under 23 Championships - Simon in stroke seat
Image from the Sim collection
Upon returning from Yale in 2016, Simon joined the Sydney Rowing Club, where he swiftly made his mark, winning the Open Men’s coxed four. In 2017, he raced in his first King’s Cup for Victoria, pushing hard for silver behind New South Wales at the nationals. That international season, he challenged himself in both the pair and four at the World Cups, finishing seventh and eleventh. He then stepped into the eight for the World Championships, showcasing his skill and resilience as they finished eighth in the B final.
In 2018, Simon found his footing again at the Melbourne University Boat Club, dominating the national championships by winning the men’s pair and four. His international season saw him claim two silver medals at World Cup III and the World Championships, a testament to his hard work and tenacity.
The momentum continued in 2019 as Simon achieved back-to-back victories in the men’s pair at the national championships before heading to Europe for the racing season. Competing in the men’s eight at the World Cups, he secured solid fifth and sixth-place finishes. Though he faced disappointment at the World Championships, finishing fourth, he successfully qualified the men’s eight for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics—a dream realized.
In 2021, Simon celebrated his first King’s Cup victory in Tasmania, narrowly edging out New South Wales by a mere 0.16 seconds. Selected for the men’s eight at the Tokyo Olympics, he faced the challenges posed by COVID-19 restrictions, which kept the team from racing prior to the event. Nevertheless, Simon embraced the Olympic spirit, finishing sixth in the A final of the men’s eight.
2021 King's Cup win - Simon centre
2020 Olympic Eight with Simon in four seat
Image from Rowing Australia
As he returned for the 2022 season, Simon powered through World Cup II, claiming second place in the men’s eight. He then faced a new challenge in the single at World Cup III, finishing fourteenth. In 2023, he earned another silver medal at World Cup II before transitioning to the pair for the World Championships, where he placed eighth and secured the boat’s qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In 2024, alongside Paddy Holt, Simon captured his third national title in the men’s pair, marking a significant milestone in his career. At the nationals, he also celebrated his second King’s Cup victory over New South Wales. Despite facing sickness and injury during the World Cups that year, he persevered, competing fiercely at the Olympics, ultimately placing fourteenth and finishing fifth in the repechage.
2024 Olympic Games with Simon in stroke seat
Simon's journey is a testament to his unwavering passion and relentless drive, showcasing not only his talent but also his resilience and determination to rise to every challenge.
Some rowing highlights
2010 Henley Royal Regatta the Fawley Challenge Cup – First
2011 National Championship Under 23 Men’s Coxed Four – First
2011 National Championship Under 23 Men’s Coxed Eight – First
2011 National Championship Interstate Men’s Youth Eight – First
2011 Henley Royal Regatta Thames Challenge Cup – First
2013 World Rowing Under 23 Championships Men’s Four – Fourth
2014 World Rowing Under 23 Championships Men’s Eight – Second
2016 National Championship Open Men’s Coxed Four – First
2017 National Championship Interstate Men’s Eight – Second
2017 World Rowing Cup II Men’s Pair – Seventh
2017 World Rowing Cup III Men’s Four – Eleventh
2017 World Rowing Championship Men’s Eight – Eighth
2018 National Championship Men’s Pair – First
2018 National Championship Men’s Four – First
2018 National Championship Interstate Men’s Eight – Second
2018 World Rowing Cup II Men’s Eight – Fifth
2018 World Rowing Cup III Men’s Eight – Second
2018 World Rowing Championship Men’s Eight – Second
2019 National Championship Men’s Pair – First
2019 National Championship Interstate Men’s Eight – Second
2019 World Rowing Cup II Men’s Eight – Fifth
2019 World Rowing Cup III Men’s Eight – Sixth
2019 World Rowing Championship Men’s Eight – Fourth
2021 National Championship Men’s Pair – Third
2021 National Championship Interstate Men’s Eight – First
2021 Tokyo Olympic Games Men’s Eight – Sixth
2022 National Championship Men’s Pair – Second
2022 National Championship Interstate Men’s Eight – Second
2022 World Rowing Cup II Men’s Eight – Second
2022 World Rowing Cup III Men’s Single – Fourteenth
2023 National Championship Men’s Pair – Third
2023 National Championship Interstate Men’s Eight – Second
2023 World Rowing Cup II Men’s Eight – Second
2023 World Rowing Cup III Men’s Pair – Eighth
2023 World Rowing Championship Men’s Pair – Eighth
2024 National Championship Men’s Pair – First
2024 National Championship Interstate Men’s Eight – First
2024 Paris Olympics Games Men’s Pair – Fourteenth
Jack Hargreaves
October 2024
Sources
- Author's own records and recollections
- World Rowing website
- This website