David Nelson

University of Queensland Boat Club (QLD) and Cambridge University Boat Club (UK)

David raced successfully in domestic competition and under age World competition whilst studying an honours finance degree at the University of Queensland. He then continued his studies at Cambridge University undertaking a Masters of Arts in finance.

Using his time at Cambridge well, David raced in the blue boat for the Cambridge University Boat Club in The Boat Race in both 2011 and 2012.

He also became one of the twelve Australians to also take on the role as President of their boat club - in his case in 2012 and for Cambridge of course. This is a great honour for any rower,

David also raced in the "Oxbridge Masters" in 2019, a masters race for full blue rowers from both universities. Sadly for David who raced in the two seat, Oxford took the honours on that day.

David continues to work in finance as Portfolio Manager at the aptly named company Blue Boat Capital.

David on the podium at the 1984 National Championships stroking the UQBC Under 23 Eight

Known rowing record

2000 – GPS Head of the River, 5th place
2001 – National Championships, U19 4-, 2nd place, bow seat
2001 – National Championships, U19 4+, 1st place, bow seat
2001 – Junior World Championships, 4+, 7th place, bow seat
2002 - National Championships, U23 4-, 4th place
2003 - National Championships, U23 4+, 1st place
2003 – Interstate Championships, Kings Cup, 2nd place, 5 seat
2004 – National Championships, U23 8+, Gold, stroke seat
2005 - National Championships, U23 2-, 4th place
2005 - National Championships, U23 4-, 2nd place
2005 – Under 23 World Championships, 8+, 8th place
2006 – Interstate Regatta Kings Cup, 4th place, bow seat
2009 – National Championships, Open 4+, 2nd place, bow seat
2009 – Interstate Championships, Kings Cup, 5th place, 4 seat
2011 – Boat Race, lost to Oxford by 4 lengths, stroke seat (rowed with fellow Australian Hardy Cubash)
2012 – Boat Race, beat Oxford by four and a quarter lengths, 5 seat, (rowed with fellow Australian Alex Scharp)

Flynn Snowden and Andrew Guerin
June 2023

Sources

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
These contents of this history are copyright. Apart from any fair dealing for the purposes of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted by the Copyright Act, no part may be reproduced by any process without written permission. However given that the purpose of the history is to assist rowers and rowing clubs, written permission is not required for non-commercial usage by rowers and rowing clubs provided acknowledgement is made.

Disclaimer: Whilst extensive efforts have been made to ensure the accuracy of the information supplied, the editors take no responsibility for any loss or damage whatsoever arising from inaccuracies contained in this work.