WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE

Alex Merrilees, Bachelor of Health Science student at UQ and King's College first year, was among the eleven collegians to compete at the Henley Royal Regatta this year in Henley-on-Thames, England. Merrilees' explains “on race day we went up against the Dutch Laga and we got knocked out in the first round”. 

His highlight of the regatta was “the silence being at the start blocks” and “the race in general”. He explained it as “special” considering he has never previously competed internationally. Merrilees explains the coolest thing about it was meeting people from “all over the world” who have similar interests, yet he would've never otherwise met. If given the opportunity to compete again, Merrilees claims he would begin training before he got to King's.

Their training regime leading up to the regatta included rowing once or twice a day, with weight sessions and an occasional erg or run. The team got on very well despite staying in the same house and living “on top of each other”, as Merrilees explained. The group went site-seeing in England, visiting Windsor Castle and Buckingham Palace. 

Originally from Auckland New Zealand, Merrilees reveals the thing he misses most about his hometown is his family. He explains that whilst Australia is very similar, the biggest cultural difference he has found is “there are a lot of big personalities here”. Although settling into Australia has been an adjustment, Merrilees explains “the rowing program certainly helped” and through which he “made a good bunch of friends”.

Merrilees was “strongly encouraged” by his parents to join rowing, even though he did not want to do it. He is now five years in and has gone “from hating the sport to loving it”. His personal goal for rowing over the next year is to “get faster”, with an end goal to help the King's rowing club grow and make the U23's New Zealand Team. 

Merrilees' final message is to people considering King's. He says “make yourself known”, whether you've rowed previously or not, “the college is really nurturing with talent and they want to grow the program”. He explains that having an experience like Henley made the years he spent hating the sport, not knowing if he wanted to continue, worth it.  

Noa Staunton

EDITOR