More than just a row
The World Rowing Tour is far-removed from being a row with a group of strangers. It is the
chance to experience some of the most magical waterways of the world, encounter off-water cultural experiences planned by locals and delivered by local experts and enjoyed in
the company of fellow rowing enthusiasts.
of the World Heritage Listed Cooloola National Park,
including Kin Kin Creek (with a “croc” sighting), and
the “River of Mirrors” and Everglades sections of the
Upper Noosa River.
The World Rowing Tour is about advancing international
understanding and fraternity and the 2010 World
Rowing Tour Down Under, in October, achieved exactly
that.
The tour attracted rowers from 14 nations including
a number of European countries, the United States
and Japan. Participant experienced the Brisbane and
Noosa Rivers as well as the World Heritage Areas of
the Everglades. “The natural beauty and, of course,
the Aussie hospitality,” impressed the participants the
most, said convener Warwick Marler.
But the rowers also had to deal with challenging weather
which, said Marler, meant that arrangements had to be
kept “fluid”. Record rainfall and winds in Queensland
forced the rowers to stop for two-and-a-half days
and the organisers had to move on to plan B which
included using only coastal rowing boats. “Still there
were no complaints – apart from a couple of blisters,”
said Marler. “Rowers are a hardy lot.”
In keeping with the theme of international understanding,
participants rowed in different combinations every day
of the tour.
The Tour began with rowers experiencing the beautiful
Noosa River before moving on to Lake Cootharabah,
with participants rotating in and out of coastal boats.
Then the Tour moved to the beautiful serene waters
“Despite the tribulations, the rowers had a most
satisfying rowing tour,” said Marler. “As well as the
rowing, they enjoyed the fraternity of their fellow rowers.
The rowers enjoyed the hospitality of local rowing clubs
and the attentions of a great group of smiling volunteers
who provisioned them well – even in the wilds of the
National Park.”
