Ian Luxford
Sydney Rowing Club (NSW) to 1973, Sydney University Boat Club (NSW) for most of his career except for 1978-79 seasons when he raced with Drummoyne Rowing Club (NSW). As a masters rower, he first competed for University of Queensland Boat Club for 12 seasons. Then, with retirement from teaching at the end of 2012, he moved to the QLD Sunshine Coast, and is now in his 10th competitive season as a member of the Sunshine Coast Rowing Club.
Born: 27th November 1952
Ian is a great athlete and noted school coach who continues to enjoy his sport as a very successful masters athlete.
He is an Olympian who has competed at senior World Championships, won the Silver Goblets at Henley Royal Regatta, won King's Cups, several Australian Championships, and, as a masters rower, he almost unbeatable.
Ian started his rowing at the end of his third year of high school when he, and a group of his friends, moved from cricket to rowing. He then continued at Sydney Rowing Club for a couple of years. A turning point in his career was the NSW Colts tour of New Zealand. It forced him to train in rowing during winter and so took him away from his other sport, rugby.
He is complimentary of the colts rowing series because it forced a decision for him. " I didn't mind the physical side of rugby, but was naturally suited to rowing. It offered the opportunity to push yourself as much as you wanted. I could cope with the physical pain side of endurance sport and so was better at them." He added that as a competitive person, he enjoyed the very competitive nature of rowing.
This led to the obvious discussion about what has kept him the sport. His response was not at all unusual, it was the people in the sport. "Rowers have a similar character and mindset to mine".
(It was as if my old school rowing coach David Boykett was talking to me. He was also convinced that rowing builds character and friendships for life. People who can go through the required training regime and row perfectly together, have great character. I understood the point he made.)
Why the club changes? I moved from Sydney to SUBC as I was not progressing well enough at Sydney. After the 1976 Olympics, I spent a year in Europe. Upon my return, I started rowing in 1978 with Drummoyne because some friends were rowing there and also the legendary Rusty Robertson from New Zealand started coaching there. We had a very good four at Drummoyne which did well in 1979. He returned to SUBC in 1979-80 season to recommence rowing with Chris Shinners.
Most memorable races? He went straight to the 1974 NSW Championship Senior Eights win and then the NSW King's Cup win of the same year. "They were the beginning of my senior rowing career and were the stepping stones into the Australian team. They were also competitive and good races."
Ian on the far left after the 1974 King's Cu presentation by the Victorian Governor
The next race he chose was the Silver Goblets win at Henley Royal Regatta. He and Chris Shinners were at their peak during this part of their European tour and won well despite tough opposition. It was the highlight of that season given that he slipped a disc in his back and decided to row through it to the Olympics. Whether it was his back or otherwise, and despite intensive physiotherapy,
his Olympic Games was a disappointment.
1976 Olympic Pair with Ian in the bow seat
Ian's last two memorable races were in the twilight of his senior career. He raced the Queensland Open Scull in 1996 finishing fourth, only six seconds behind winner Duncan Free, with second and third placings going to internationals Marcus Free and Gary Lynagh. A very satisfying result for an old bloke! In 2001, he was invited to trial for the UQBC senior eight. He made the crew in the four seat and after a very competitive race, they won. Again another satisfying result, this time for a 48 year old. It was to be his last senior race.
As a teacher by profession with an interest in rowing, school coaching became another source of much success, specifically in his time in Brisbane Boys College. His 1993 crew raced at Henley Royal Regatta and was the first Australian crew to win the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup.
Ian and his student Hamish Karrasch after 1993 win in the National Schoolboy Sculling Championship
Ian's masters results are outstanding and too voluminous to record here. Needless to say, numerous international wins at the FISA Masters and World Masters Championships, he has been 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014 and 2018 Australian Men's Champion of Champions and of course numerous Interstate and National Masters Championships. He holds both the 60-64 and 65-69 year old Australian 2000m ergo records. Given that competes overseas annually and is very good, it is no surprise that his overseas wins are numerous. For example, he has never lost a race at Henley Masters in six attempts. He has competed at the Head of the Charles on six occasions. The first two years of competition were in in the double scull (with Geoff Rees) winning the second year (2015). The next four years were in the single scull, winning in 2017, 2018 and 2019.
He is an excellent competitor who keeps himself in good condition. Despite a hip replacement on 2020, he is back to full fitness and ready to compete.
Ian as 2009 Champion of Champions
2014 Victorious Queensland Masters Eight with Ian in the seven seat
In summary, Ian's rowing career is impressive and demonstrates not only his great competitiveness, but also a deep love of, and respect for, the sport.
Some rowing details
1970 - NSW GPS Head of the River Sydney Boys High, four seat - Fourth
1970 - National Championships, Schoolboy Eight, four seat - Second
1972 - NSW Colts Tour of New Zealand, Men's Eight, bow - First
1974 - NSW Championships, Men's Eight, seven seat - First
1974 - Interstate Championships, Men's Eight, seven seat - First
1974 - Hanover International Regatta, men's Eight, seven seat - First
1974 - World Championships, Men's Eight seven seat - Eighth
1975 - NSW Championships, Men's Eight, seven seat - First
1975 - NSW Championships, Men's Coxed Pair, stroke - First
1975 - Interstate Championships, Men's Eight, seven seat - First
1975 - National Championships, Men's Coxed Pair, bow - Second
1975 - World Championships, Men's Eight seven seat - Sixth
1976 - NSW Championships, Men's Eight, seven seat - Third
1976 - NSW Championships, Men's Coxed Pair, stroke - Third
1976 - National Championships, Men's Coxless Pair, bow - First
1976 - Nottingham International Regatta, Men's Coxless Pair, bow - First
1976 - Henley Royal Regatta, Men's Coxless Pair Silver Goblets, bow - First
1976 - Olympic Games - Men's Coxless Pair, bow - 13th
1978 - NSW Championships, Men's Eight, two seat - Second
1979 - NSW Championships, Men's Eight, six seat - Second
1979 - NSW Championships, Men's Coxed Four, two seat - First
1979 - NSW Championships, Men's Coxless Four, two seat - First
1979 - Interstate Championships, Men's Eight, two seat - Third
1979 - National Championships, Men's Coxed Four, two seat - Third
1979 - National Championships, Men's Coxless Four, two seat - First
1980 - National Championships, Men's Coxless Four, three seat - Second
1980 - National Championships, Men's Coxless Pair, bow - Second
1981 - NSW Championships, Men's Coxed Pair, bow - First
1981 - NSW Championships, Men's Coxless Pair, bow - First
1981 - National Championships, Men's Coxed Pair, bow - Second
1981 - National Championships, Men's Coxless Pair, bow - Third
1982 - NSW Championships, Men's Eight, four seat - Third
1987 - SATIS Head of the River (Hutchins School), First Eight, coach - Second
1988 - SATIS Head of the River (TAS - Hutchins School), First Eight, coach - Second
1989 - SATIS Head of the River (TAS - Hutchins School), First Eight, coach - First
1990 - GPS Head of the River (QLD - Brisbane Boys College), First Eight, coach - First
1991 - GPS Head of the River (QLD - Brisbane Boys College), First Eight, coach - Second
1992 - GPS Head of the River (QLD - Brisbane Boys College), First Eight, coach - First
1993 - GPS Head of the River (QLD - Brisbane Boys College), First Eight, coach - First
1993 - National Championships, Schoolboy Eight, coach - First
1993 - National Championships, Schoolboy Scull , coach - First
1993 - Henley Royal Regatta, Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup, coach - First
1994 - GPS Head of the River (QLD - Brisbane Boys College), First Eight, coach - Second
1994 - National Championships, Schoolboy Eight, coach -Third
1995 - GPS Head of the River (QLD - Brisbane Boys College), First Eight, coach - Third
1995 - National Championships, Men's Under 17 Double Scull, coach - First
1996 - GPS Head of the River (QLD - Brisbane Boys College), First Eight, coach - Third
1997 - GPS Head of the River (QLD - Brisbane Boys College), First Eight, co-coach - Third
2001 - Queensland Championships, Men's Eight, four seat - First
2009, 11, 13, 14, 18 - Australian Masters Championships, Men's Champion of Champions
2009 - University of Queensland Boat Club, Lifetime Achievement Award
Andrew Guerin
January 2022
Sources:
- Author's and Ian's records
- Interview with Ian in January 2022