Sarah Hawe
Melbourne Rowing Club (VIC) then Huon Rowing Club (TAS)
Sarah Hawe has carved a notable path in Australian rowing, known for her consistency and ability to perform in a variety of boat classes. From her early days in junior competitions to her standout performances at the World Rowing Cups, World Rowing Championships, and Olympic Games, Sarah’s career has been a testament to her resilience, versatility, and dedication to the sport.
Early Years and National Recognition (2005)
Sarah’s career took off in 2005 when she earned impressive results in both national and international competitions. She secured second place in the Under 19 Single Scull at the Australian National Championships, signalling her potential as a top-tier rower. That same year, she helped her team win first place in the Interstate Youth Eight. At the World Rowing Junior Championships, Sarah and her partner finished fifth in the Double Scull, marking a strong start to her international career. After this year Sarah took a 12 year break from international rowing to progress her veterinary studies.
Sarah in bow of the 2005 Australian junior double
Photo: Dr Krys Szatsnadjer
Breakthrough and Consistency (2017-2018)
2017 was a breakout year for Sarah, as she dominated the Australian National Championships. She won first place in the Coxless Pair, Coxless Four, and Open Eight, demonstrating her versatility in both small and large boats. Internationally, Sarah had a successful year, winning first place in the Coxless Four at both World Rowing Cup II and World Rowing Cup III. She capped off the year with a gold medal in the Coxless Four at the World Rowing Championships.
In 2018, Sarah continued her success at the national level, securing first place in the Coxless Pair, Interstate Eight (Queens Cup), and several other events. Internationally, she maintained her excellence, with victories in the Coxless Four at the World Rowing Cup II, the Royal Henley Regatta’s Remenham Challenge Cup, and World Rowing Cup III. At the World Rowing Championships, she earned a silver medal in the Coxless Four, further cementing her status as a top competitor.
A victorious Australian eight at Henley Royal Regatta, Sarah centre back row
World-Class Performance and Consistency (2019)
Sarah’s success continued into 2019, where she claimed first place in the Quad Scull at the Australian National Championships and second place in the Coxless Pair. She contributed to another first-place finish in the Coxless Four at World Rowing Cup III and played a crucial role in securing a gold medal in the Coxless Four at the World Rowing Championships. These results demonstrated Sarah’s ability to perform consistently at both the national and international levels.
Tokyo 2020 and Continued Excellence (2021)
In 2021, Sarah continued her winning ways at the Australian National Championships, taking first place in the Open Eight and the Interstate Eight (Queens Cup). However, her performance at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in the Women’s Eight, where the team finished fifth, served as a reminder of the highly competitive nature of the sport at the Olympic level. Despite the result, her journey to the Olympics and the experience on the world’s biggest stage was an important milestone in her career.
Recent Success and Ongoing Excellence (2023-2024)
Sarah showed resilience in 2023, earning second place in the Quad Scull and third in the Coxless Pair at the Australian National Championships. She also helped her team secure first place in the Interstate Eight (Queens Cup). On the international circuit, she claimed third place in World Rowing Cup II and second place in World Rowing Cup III in the Coxless Four, while finishing fifth in the World Rowing Championship in the same event.
Heading into 2024, Sarah showed continued excellence, securing a fourth-place finish in the Women’s Eight at World Rowing Cup II and a first-place finish at World Rowing Cup III. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Sarah’s Women’s Eight crew finished fourth, demonstrating their ongoing competitive edge and a desire to keep striving for more.
Australian Olympic Eight with Sarah in seven seat
Legacy and Conclusion
Sarah Hawe’s rowing career is a story of consistent performance, adaptability, and determination. Whether competing in the Single Scull, Coxless Pair, Quad Scull, or Eight, she has proven time and again that she is a world-class athlete. Her numerous national championships, podium finishes at World Rowing Cups, and successes at the World Rowing Championships have solidified her legacy as one of Australia’s top rowers.
While her Olympic journey has had its challenges, Sarah’s ability to bounce back and continue competing at the highest level is an inspiration to all. Her commitment to excellence will undoubtedly influence future generations of rowers in Australia and beyond.
Some rowing highlights
2005 Australia National Championship Under 19 Single Scull – Second
2005 Australian National Championship Interstate Youth Eight – First
2005 World Rowing Junior Championships Double Scull – Fifth
2017 Australian National Championship Coxless Pair – First
2017 Australian National Championship Coxless Four – First
2017 Australian National Championship Open Eight – First
2017 World Rowing Cup II Coxless Pair – Third
2017 World Rowing Cup II Coxless Four – First
2017 World Rowing Cup III Coxless Four – First
2017 World Rowing Championship Coxless Four – First
2018 Australian National Championship Coxless Pair – First
2018 Australian National Championship Interstate Eight Queens Cup – First
2018 World Rowing Cup II Coxless Four – First
2018 Royal Henley Regatta Remenham Challenge Cup – First
2018 World Rowing Cup III Coxless Four – First
2018 World Rowing Championship Coxless Four – Second
2019 Australian National Championship Quad Scull – First
2019 Australian National Championship Coxless Pair – Second
2019 Australian National Championship Interstate Eight Queens Cup – Second
2019 World Rowing Cup II Coxless Four – Third
2019 World Rowing Cup III Coxless Four – First
2019 World Rowing Championship Coxless Four – First
2021 Australian National Championship Coxless Four – Second
2021 Australian National Championship Open Eight – First
2021 Australian National Championship Interstate Eight Queens Cup – First
2021 Tokyo Olympic Games Eight – Fifth
2023 Australian National Championship Quad Scull – Second
2023 Australian National Championship Coxless Pair – Third
2023 Australian National Championship Interstate Eight Queens Cup – First
2023 World Rowing Cup II Coxless Four – Third
2023 World Rowing Cup III Coxless Four – Second
2023 World Rowing Championship Coxless Four – Fifth
2024 World Rowing Cup II Women’s Eight – Fourth
2024 World Rowing Cup III Women’s Eight – First
2024 Paris Olympic Games Women’s Eight – Fourth
Jack Hargreaves
April 2025