Jeff Thompson

Mercantile Rowing Club (VIC)

Jeff is a classic return to rowing triggered by a child rowing at school.

Jeff commenced his rowing at Geelong Grammar and in 1967, rowed in their first crew. They finished 4th in the Head of the River after a promising season.

In 1968 he joined Mercantile where he raced very successfully in junior crews. They won everything that season. However injury was to cause him to withdraw from 1969 season. In 1970 he raced in junior pairs before retiring.

Winding the clock forward to 1997, he started rowing again with the Cardinal Club whilst his son rowed for Scotch.

He rejoined Mercs in 2002 and raced at the 2002 World Masters where he made the A final in one of his events. He has been a strong masters rower ever since.

What races does he regard as some of his best? 2007 Head of the Yarra which was won in record time for an E masters crew. Also he has fond memories of the 2014 Head of the Yarra which he also won in the F division.

Above: Winning Head of the Yarra in 2014 - Jeff is fourth from the left

Why rowing? Camaraderie and getting fit. It is great to be part of a close knit group of people.

Andrew Guerin November 2015

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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