Grace & Tamara make waves at the 2025 Under 19 World Rowing Championships

Adelaide Rowing Club is proud to celebrate the international debut of two of its standout young athletes, Tamara Bates and Grace Barrera, who represented Australia in the Under 19 Women’s Eight (W8+) at the 2025 World Rowing Under 19 Championships held in Trakai, Lithuania.

A Historic Return for Australia

This year marked a significant milestone for Australian junior rowing, as the Women’s Eight returned to the World Championships for the first time since 2022. The crew was one of the most nationally diverse lineups in recent memory, featuring athletes from Queenwood, Pymble Ladies College, St Catherine’s School, UTS Haberfield, and Adelaide Rowing Club.

Tamara and Grace, both representing ARC, were selected after stellar domestic season where they dominated the U19 sweep category winning both the Pair and Four at Nationals, and picking up a bronze medal as part of SA's Youth Women's Eight at the Interstate Regatta.

Training and Preparation

The crew trained out of UTS Haberfield in Sydney under coach Jarrod Watson, known for his success with schoolgirl crews. Over four months, the athletes gelled the styles of four separate domestic programs into a cohesive unit. Their training regimen was intense—up to 14 sessions per week, including water time, erg work, weights, and race simulations—all while balancing university studies and interstate relocations.

Tamara and Grace relocated from Adelaide to Sydney to join the squad, demonstrating exceptional commitment and adaptability. Their leadership and experience brought strength and stability to the middle of the boat, rowing in the 5 and 4 seats respectively.

Preliminary Racing

Australia’s campaign began with a thrilling preliminary race that had spectators on edge. The crew, showcasing explosive speed and confidence, keep in check with the leading boats through the middle 1000m, with the lead changed hands several times. Australia held on strongly, finishing just outside the top three in a race where all six boats overlapped at the finish, separated by mere seconds.

The A-Final

In the A-Final, the Australian eight delivered a tenacious performance, finishing sixth with a time of 6:55.19. The race was a showcase of grit and unity, with Australia holding their own against the world’s best. Great Britain claimed gold, followed by the USA and Romania, but Australia’s margin behind the top crews was tight—just seconds separating them from the podium.

We congratulate Tamara and Grace on their incredible achievements and look forward to seeing their continued rise in the sport. Their performance in Trakai has inspired the next generation of ARC rowers and reaffirmed our club’s place on the international stage.