Geoff 'Pugs' Perry
Adelaide University Boat Club (SA)
Geoff’s involvement in the sport in South Australia includes success as a schoolboy, Penrith Cup (State men's lightweight crew) representation and a highly successful coaching career with Walford Anglican School for Girls and Adelaide University. Geoff is the most successful Intervarsity coach at AUBC – with 3 wins in the Women's VIII race (1992, 1993 and 1996).
Geoff had an auspicious start in rowing through his involvement in school and club rowing at an early age, first as a coxswain and then as coach. Highlights include:
- 5 years as the 1st VIII cox for Pultney School (at that time a boys school);
- Winning Schoolboy First VIII Head of the River crew in 1961; and
- SA Penrith Cup crew (Mens LW4+) 1966.
1966 SA Penrith Cup crew with Geoff coxing
After a twenty-year absence, when parenting, cricket, football and sailing were priorities, a chance event brought him back to rowing in the late 1990s.
In 1997, his daughter Karen, a student at Walford School, commenced rowing as part of the inaugural Walford program – rowing as “Adelaide University Cadets” prior to Walford being granted official status as a Club. Coaches were needed and Geoff came out of retirement.
This was the catalyst for a very successful and rewarding active association with both Walford School and AUBC spanning the next 16 years.
It can be said that if it wasn’t for the amazing support given to those young rowers by AUBC, rowing at Walford may not have progressed much beyond those scratchy first attempts on the Torrens in 1997-98. In return, Walford has provide many dedicated and strong recruits to AUBC which continues today.
Highlights of Geoff’s (second) coaching career include:
- 8 x Head of River Schoolgirl First VIII wins as either coach, co-coach or Director of Rowing.
- 2 x Schoolgirl First VIII National championships
- 3 x Australian Universities Intervarsity Women's VIII wins (92, 93 and 98)
Geoff’s involvement in the sport continues as a Vice President of AUBC and an interested grandparent.
Detailed Palmares
1959 – Started rowing as a cox at Pulteney Grammar School (age 13)
1960 – Coxed the Pulteney 1st VIII
1961 - Coxed the Pulteney 1st VIII, winning the Head of the River in Pulteney’s first year into the SA Head of the River regatta (HOR)
- Coxed the Adelaide Rowing Club L/W VIII State Champion crew
1962 - Coxed the Pulteney 1st VIII
1963 - Coxed the Pulteney 1st VIII
1964 - Coxed the Pulteney 1st VIII
1965 – Co-coached Adelaide Boys High School 1st VIII
1966 – Coxed the South Australian Penrith Cup Lightweight 4
1966 – 1968 Co-coached the Pulteney Junior Squad
These crews were undefeated in all three HOR regattas and the cohort formed the basis of 3 successive HOR wins for the Pulteney 1st VIII. Two of the boys then rowed for Australia in the Olympic Games and World Championships.
1988 – Coached two Walford Anglican School for Girls IVs rowing as Adelaide University Cadets. This was the first time Walford competed in rowing.
1989 – Walford was admitted into the South Australian HOR. Coached the Walford 1st IV to Walford’s first win in the HOR
1990 – Coached the Walford 1st IV
- Raced at Nationals, Lake Barrington, Tas in a borrowed boat
- Walford’s first appearance at Nationals. Unplaced in SG 1st IV event
1991 – Co-coached Walford 1st VIII. First place in the HOR
1992 – Co-coached Walford 1st VIII. First place in the HOR
- Raced at Nationals, Carrum Victoria. Second in SG VIII event
-Coached Adelaide University Womens VIII to first ever Intervarsity win
at West Lakes Adelaide
1993 – September, Appointed Walford Director of Rowing and Head Coach.
Coached Adelaide Uni Womens VIII to a second Intervarsity win, Wellington Dam, Collie WA.
1994 – Walford 1st VIII wins its fourth successive HOR title.
Walford 1st VIII wins its first National title at Lake Barrington, Tas.
1995 – Walford 1st VIII wins its fifth successive HOR title.
1996 – Coached Adelaide Uni Womens VIII to third Intervarsity win, Canberra
Walford 1st VIII second, National Championship, Sydney
Walford 1st VIII second in the HOR
1997 – Walford 1st VIII wins the HOR
Walford 1st VIII wins its second National title at Lake Barrington, Tas.
1998 – Walford 1st VIII second in the HOR
Walford 1st VIII third, National Championships at Nagambie, Vic.
1999 – Walford 1st VIII wins the HOR
Walford 1st VIII “A” Finalist, National Championships, West Lakes, SA.
2000 - Walford 1st VIII third in the HOR
Walford 1st VIII “A” Finalist, National Championships, Sydney
2001 – Walford School wins S.A. Rowing Assoc. Schoolgirl Premiership for
the 10th successive year and Senior Women’s Premiership for the
first time.
Walford 1st VIII second in the HOR
Walford 1st VIII “A” Finalist, National Championships, Wivenhoe, QLD.
Retired as Director of Rowing and Head Coach, to be the sole coach
of the 1st VIII in 2002.
2002 – Coached the Walford 1st VIII to win the HOR by a record 1VIIIsec
margin
(about 5 lengths)
- Retired from coaching professionally.
Mark Miller
March 2026