2013 Under 21 Trans Tasman Regatta– Lake Karopiro, New Zealand

The 2012-13 Rowing Australia annual report contain the following description of the regatta.

Rowing Australia launched a new initiative in the high performance pathway, in the form of the Australian Under 21 Team. The key purpose of this team is to provide an opportunity for the best under 21 athletes to gain high level competition experience in between the World Championship age categories of under 19 and under 23. The Australian Under 21 Team would compete against the New Zealand Under 21 Team in a Trans-Tasman Series.

The selection trials held in July were well supported and a team of twenty athletes was selected. The team comprised a men's and women's eight plus gender reserve/s. The eights were made up of six open weight athletes, two lightweight athletes, and a coxswain. Immediately following selection, the team raced New Zealand in a warm-up round, in preparation for the Trans-Tasman Series in September. No points were awarded and it also furthered the race preparation experience for some Australian U23 and Junior crews who took part.

Following selection, the team completed home-based training before coming togerther at the AIS for a pre­departure camp. This five day camp provided great experience for the athletes to utilise world-class facilities in preparation for competition.

The team travelled to New Zealand for several days preparation prior to the three day competition. The racing between the two countries was fierce, with the Trans-Tasman Series winner only being determined by the final race.

Australia won the Trans-Tasman Series, by a margin of 90-88 points. The Australian eights were invited to compete against the New Zealand eights in an exhibition race in The Great Race program.

The Trans-Tasman Series is a great initiative that is aligned to Winning Edge principles through providing greater high performance and pathway opportunities for athletes and coaches.