Rod Stewart
Toowong Rowing Club (QLD) 1964 – ’72, Mercantile Rowing Club (VIC) 1972 – ’79, Thames Tradesmen RC (UK) 1982 – ’88, Upper Thames RC (UK) 1988 – ’92
1970 – Interstate Men’s Eight Championship (QLD) bow – Eliminated in repechage
1974 – National Championships Men’s Lightweight Eight seven seat – First
1975 – National Championships Men’s Lightweight Eight seven seat – First
1977 – National Championships Men’s Lightweight Eight four seat – First
1977 – World Championships – Men’s Lightweight Eight Four seat – Bronze
Above: 1977 Australian bronze medal winning lightweight eight, Rod front row right
Rod started his rowing life as a coxswain at Toowong RC in 1964 and by the early 1970’s was wishing to further his rowing career. Advice from a Mercantilian, Mike McKenna, temporarily living/rowing in Brisbane at the time, was to go south and join Mercantile RC and seek the coaching of the well respected Hubert “Freddie” Frederico. He joined Mercantile Sept 1972 rowing Elite heavyweight until early 1974 when he was persuaded reluctantly to join the Lightweight ranks and went on to win three National titles. Rod always struggled mentally & physically to make the Lightweight limit which eventually forced a decision to retire in 1979.
Rod moved to England in 1982 and returned to club heavyweight rowing in London and competed annually at the Henley Royal Regatta until 1992 and retired from Veteran’s racing in 2008. Rod remains domiciled in the UK living with his family in Devon.
Andrew Guerin Oct 2011