What swimming ability must a junior rower show?

All rowers competing in a Rowing Australia regatta must be able to swim 50 metres and keep their head above water unassisted for three minutes. This applies to junior and school rowers like any other rower.

The rules require rowers entering Rowing Australia events to have this basic swimming ability, and require every club or school to make sure the rowers it enters meet it.

Source: Rowing Australia Rules of Racing (2025 Edition, updated January 2026), Rule 23 and its By-Laws. https://rowingaustralia.com.au/rules-of-racing