James Marburg

Melbourne University Boat Club (VIC)

James started his rowing in 1996 at St Patrick's College Ballarat. He raced in their first four in both 1999 and 2000. He finished his career at the London Olympics in 2012 - a very successful 16 years. He was a dual Olympian, Olympic Silver medal, World Championship silver and bronze medallist, Wilkinson Cup winner and twice King's Cup winner.

Congratulations James on a great rowing career and bring such fame to the sport.

2001 - Interstate Championships - Wilkinson Cup four seat - First

2002 - Interstate Championships - Wilkinson Cup seven seat - Second

2002 - World Under 23 Championships - Men's eight three seat - Fourth

2003 - World Under 23 Championships - Men's Four three seat - Ninth

2005 - Interstate Championships - King 's Cup two seat - Second

2005 - World Championships - Men's Four two seat - Ninth

2006 - National Championships - Men's Pair bow seat - First (Ted Bromley Trophy)

2006 - Interstate Championships - King's Cup four seat - First

2006 - World Championships - Men's Eight two seat - Fourth

2007 - Interstate Championships - King's Cup four seat - First

2007 - World Championships - Men's Eight bow seat - Seventh

2008 - Interstate Championships - King's Cup four seat - Second

2008- Olympic Games - Men's Four two sea-t Silver

2009- National Championships - Men's Pair bow seat - First (Ted Bromley Trophy)

2009- Interstate Championships - King's Cup seven seat - Second

2009- World Championships - Men's Four two seat - Silver

2010- National Championships - Men's Pair bow seat - First (Ted Bromley Trophy)

2010- Interstate Championships - King 's Cup five seat - Second

2010- World Championships - Men's eight five seat - Bronze

2011- Interstate Championships - King's Cup three seat - Second

2011- World Championships - Men's Eight two seat - Fourth

2012- Interstate Championships - King's Cup three seat- Second

2012- Olympic Games - Men's Pair bow - Fifth

On the podium in 2008 at the Olympic Games

Sporting highlights - James was immediately drawn to his Olympic representation and medals and King's Cup wins. However, he also puts up there his three National Championship pair oared wins including one win against Drew Ginn and Duncan Free in 2006, two years before Ginn and Free took gold at the Beijing Olympic Games.

As with Cam McKenzie-McHarg, he also rates their 2003 Head of the Yarra win against a well credentialled Mercantile crew. Who said that inter club rivalry was dead?

Of the most memorable races, the 2008 Lucerne World Cup win in the four looms high. They had not yet qualified the crew for the Olympic Games and this set them up well for that qualification race.

Conversely the most stressful race was less than two weeks later at Poznan at the Olympic qualification regatta. The crew's bow man was ill and had to be replaced at the last moment. They still won, gained qualification and went onto win an Olympic silver medal.

The race at Poznan against the odds in 2008 - photo Peter Spurrier

What does he like about the sport?

Everything. He credits the sport with giving him most of his best life skills - character, discipline, application, learning how to fail and succeed, learning the satisfaction gained from hard work, delayed satisfaction and getting through adversity. He is a great advocate of the sport.

Andrew Guerin, 2019

Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information provided, errors may exist. Please send advice of any errors or inaccuracies by email to:

Also your comments, suggestions and photos are sought to enhance this site.

The idea for this history originated from the Olympic Rowing and World Senior Rowing Championship histories written by Andrew Guerin and Margot Foster in 1991, 1992 & 1993 for the Australian team handbooks. Andrew Guerin developed and extended these histories to the current format in 2004 for publication in 2004 and then expanded the site.

Steve Roll has been an invaluable contributor to the website in locating errors and finding Christian names of rowers. His superb work is acknowledged.

© Andrew Guerin – 2004
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