The Western Australian season kicks off early, offering an initial insight into national contenders as the domestic season progresses. The championship men’s quads have a history of tight, exciting racing, and this year’s competition should be no different, with a talented pool of junior, interstate, and Australian athletes. We have already seen tight finishes in the quads this season, and crews will be keen to establish themselves before returning to Lake Barrington early next year for the 2026 Australian Rowing Championships (ARC).
Fremantle Rowing Club
Fremantle’s William Mayne and Jacob Cassey arrive confident after placing first and second in Pennant Regattas one and three. After winning this event last year, Cassey saw a successful campaign at ARC, winning multiple medals and narrowly missing the interstate podium in the lightweight four. Bolstering this confidence is the addition of Samuel Bredell, and ARC U21 single-scull silver medallist Remy Payne. With a string of domestic successes, this crew will undoubtedly be targeting the top of the podium this weekend.
West Australian Rowing Club
Javier Chadinha and Dejan Bouwhuis fell just short of the podium a month ago at Pennant Regatta three but will undoubtedly look to rectify that result. They are joined by Lachlan Brown, fresh off a silver at the World Rowing Under 19 Championships. The addition of Tokyo Olympic bronze medallist Jack Cleary – recently returning from the Australian campaign in Europe – will add serious firepower to the mix, making the WARC quad the crew to beat this weekend.
Swan River
Swan River’s crew of Harry Salfinger, Blair Parnell and Ryan Povey will be aiming for a place on the podium after winning the B-grade quad at Pennant Regatta three. Salfinger is off the back of a strong season, contesting the U21 single-scull at ARC earlier this year and taking home silver in the interstate youth eight. The addition of former Australian U23 representative Rohan James reinforces this crew’s experience, leaving them clear contenders for the state title.
University of Western Australia Boat Club ‘A’
UWABC will be somewhat of a dark horse this weekend, with the combination of Ethan Bromley and Connor Brace, who placed third and fourth in Pennant Regatta. Together, Bromley and Brace won bronze in the 2024 interstate lightweight four; Bromley competed again this earlier year and narrowly missed the podium. They’re joined by juniors Samuel Lewis and Charles Potter, who will be undoubtedly eager to establish themselves with a medal this weekend.
Prediction
It’s difficult to overlook the international pedigree Jack Cleary brings to the WARC crew, so I’m tipping them for gold. Close behind will be Fremantle and Swan River battling it out for the remaining medals; I expect Swan River to hold off Fremantle for silver, with Fremantle taking bronze. That said, UWABC won’t be far off and could still shake up the order.
