Mercantile Rowing Club set to compete in Henley Royal Regatta

A team of elite Melbourne-based rowers, brought together from throughout Australia and beyond, are preparing to tackle one of the world’s most iconic races.

Members of the Mercantile Rowing Club.

As most of Melbourne sleeps, a group of determined female rowers are gliding down the Yarra River to chase their dreams.

A women’s eight crew from the Mercantile Rowing Club is training six days a week as it prepares to compete at the Henley Royal Regatta in July.

The regatta is held on London’s River Thames across six days and attracts competitors from across the world.

Mercantile’s team includes athletes who have been on state and national pathways as they go about creating their own history.

Crew members include Jordan King (cox), Sophie Reinehr (stroke), Liv Nairn (seven), Imogen Nation (six), Lou Stocks (five), Jess Hawker (four), Elosie Adem (three), Freya Axten (two) and Grace Ivers (bow).

It will be a historic trip from Melbourne to London with the group set to be just the second women’s crew from their respective club.

Early mornings have been a key part of the preparations.

“It’s a huge honour and milestone,” Nairn said.

“Mercantile is one of Australia’s most iconic rowing clubs, with a rich history of Olympic and national-level representation — but the opportunities for women at this level are still relatively new.

“Being only the second women’s crew from Mercs to reach this level shows how far the women’s program has come, and how much potential there is moving forward.

“We’re proud to be part of that evolution and to represent the next generation of elite female athletes coming through the club.”

To get there, the crew has moved from across the country and the world. Rowers are from Ballarat, Kaniva, Tasmania, Sydney, and even the United Kingdom.

“Training for Henley has been intense and all-consuming. After wrapping up the domestic season in March, we took a short break before diving straight back into our international campaign,” Nairn said.

“We train on the water six out of seven days a week, with 5:30am arrivals at the shed. Our weekly schedule also includes erg sessions every second day and gym work on alternating days — mirroring the training volume of full-time elite athletes.

“Most of us live out of home and balance training with university studies or part-time work. It’s a massive commitment, but one we take seriously because we’re aiming to compete at one of the highest levels in our sport.

“Most of us are balancing training with jobs and studies. We’re working late shifts, attending university full-time, and trying to build our futures — all while training like full-time athletes.”

Mercantile rowers hit the Yarra River.

For many of these athletes, the opportunity to compete at Henley is coming at a personal costs. And the group has set up a GoFundMe to help them achieve their goal.

“Rowing is a financially demanding sport, especially when you reach this level. The costs of boats, equipment, coaching, regattas, uniforms, travel, and accommodation add up quickly — and competing internationally multiplies those expenses. Preparing for Henley requires not just speed and consistency, but a significant financial investment to get there,” Nairn said.

You can donate here.

Originally published as Mercantile Rowing Club set to compete in Henley Royal Regatta