Fred Roper
University of California Berkeley Rowing Club (USA) and then Oxford University Boat Club (UK)
Growing up on his family farm in Tawonga, Fred Roper boarded at Geelong Grammar where he learned to row. His school rowing career included a 3rd place at the 2017 APS Head of the River and a 5th place in the Schoolboy Eight at the 2017 Rowing Australia National Championships.
Fred’s school rowing prowess led him to study at the University of California Berkeley, where he was successful in his Junior and Senior years, winning the Pac-12 Championships in the 2nd Eight in 2022 and 2023, along with the IRA National Championships in 2nd VIII in 2023.
After graduating from Cal in 2023 with a double Major in Political Economy and Society and the Environment, he headed to Oxford University to read for an MSc in Engineering (Energy Systems) at Somerville College. After a successful Trial 8s race where his crew “Noise” was victorious, Fred was selected to the OUBC Men’s crew for the 2024 Boat Race. In a race notable for the collapse of Cambridge stroke Matt Edge by Barnes Bridge, Fred’s crew was defeated by Cambridge.
Some rowing highlights
2016 - APS Head of the River, Boys’ First Eight - 6th
2017 - APS Head of the River, Boys’ First Eight - 3rd
2022 - Pac-12 Championships (2nd Eight) - 1st, IRA National Championships (2nd Eight) - 2nd, 2022 IRCA Scholar Athlete, 2022 Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll
2023 - Pac-12 Championships (2nd Eight) - 1st, IRA National Championships (2nd Eight) - 1st, 2023 IRCA Scholar Athlete, 2023 Pac-12 Academic Honor Roll
2024 - Universities Boat Race, Oxford Men’s Blue Boat - Lost
Oxford University crew in 2024
Alister Taylor
June 2025
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