Perth is set to host three premier national rowing events through to 2026, which will attract national and international competitors and inject millions into the State’s economy.
The State Government, through Tourism Western Australia, has secured the Australian Masters Rowing Championships in May 2022 and May 2026, and the Australian Rowing Championships in March 2023.
The three national events will be held at the Champion Lakes Regatta Centre, which is one of only two purpose-built water sports centres in Australia that can accommodate international standard rowing.
Together, the events will significantly lift the profile of the State in the rowing community and deliver thousands of visitors and about $12 million in economic impact over a five-year period.
The Masters is a four-day program for masters aged 27 years and over. Around 350 races are held during the championship, with all events contested over 1,000 metres.
The 2019 Masters was held in Perth in May with support from the State Government, through Tourism WA. The event attracted more than 1,100 visitors from outside the State, including international crews from Great Britain, Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan.
Rowing in the masters age group is increasing in popularity, with about 42,000 masters rowers registered in Australia.
Hosting the 2019 event has laid the foundations to increase visitor numbers for the 2022 and 2026 events by showcasing Perth’s world-class rowing facility and diverse tourism offerings to the rowing community.
The Australian Rowing Championships is held over a week and is the largest rowing event in Australia. It includes the Australian Open Rowing Championships, Australian Open Schools Rowing Championships and the King’s and Queen’s Cups Interstate Regatta.
The championships were last held in Perth in 2012.
As stated by Tourism Minister Paul Papalia:
“Attracting mass participation events to WA forms part of the State Government’s strategic objectives for tourism.
“They drive up visitor numbers and spend as well as showcasing the State to new markets.
“These three championship events will attract thousands of competitors, officials and supporters to WA and provide a multimillion dollar boost to the economy.
“They’ll also have a positive impact on local rowing clubs and programs, making sure the sport remains strong and sustainable in Western Australia.”
As stated by Sport and Recreation Minister Mick Murray:
“Securing these three events is terrific for Western Australian rowing, bringing top-class competition to the State and delivering significant benefits to WA’s tourism, hospitality and small business sectors.
“Rowing WA has been working hard locally with its Making Waves program to expand the sport to new participants, and these elite championships will provide a great opportunity for the rowing community to see some of the world’s best in action.”
