Rowers make a splash on the national scene

Joe Flynn | 30th December 2008

ROWING: Rowing Queensland hall of fame John Bigg has hailed the region's current crop of rowers one of the most successful in more than four decades.

Bigg, who is the current vice-president of Bundaberg Rowing Club, said the talent produced by the club this year was the best since the Zunker boys dominated rivers throughout Queensland in the 1960s.

Leading the charge for Bundaberg is Bigg's son Chris, who is training under Olympic coach Tim Conrad after recently being named Queensland's most improved oarsman.

Bigg will join Australia's top oarsmen at Rowing Australia's National Summer training camp where he will look to force his way into the national squad.

If Chris can secure a place in the national squad he would join Emma McCarthy and Theo Cox as Bundaberg rowers who have donned the national colours in recent years.

While up-and-comers Nick Silcox and Luke Lawn will be among the Bundaberg contingent representing some of Queensland's biggest schools at the state titles next year after stellar seasons with the University of Queensland and Nudgee College.

“This is an outstanding group of rowers,” Bigg said.

“I would have to think this is the most successful group we've had in Bundaberg since the Zunker family rowed in Bundaberg in the late 60s.”