Merlin Vervoon
A strong athlete, Vervoorn first came to the notice of ARH with his win in the Diamond Challenge Sculls in 1996 representing DSR Proteus Erestes. He had grown up in Tasmania, and returned to the Netherlands for his university education and represented the Netherlands over several years at Junior , under 23, and Senior Level, concluding his career in the NED quadruple scull which placed 4th at the 1999 World Championships in St. Catharine's, Canada.
He returned to Australia in 2001, and was a fixture on the domestic regatta scene, dominating the Victorian time trial series, and inter alia, rowing in a record-setting Head of the Yarra crew in 2002. In this, he was plucked from the bank as he did not have a crew to row in. Anthony Edwards, who was to have occupied this seat, had suffered food poisoning overnight.
Yarra Yarra Rowing Club (VIC)
Member 2004/05 - 2006/07
Head coach for this period
From the YYRC newsletter 'Yarra Yabbie' 2005-2-20
Yarra Yarra’s intermediate squad is now receiving top quality coaching from Merlin Vervoon. Merlin has sculled at the highest level for his country and has victories in prestige events such as the Diamond sculls at Henley Royal Regatta to his credit. Merlin is now bringing his enthusiasm and technical abilities to coaching at Yarra Yarra.
Mervin with bike helmet assisting with bar provisions
2004 chief cook!
2003 Mervin on staging talking to a crew departing from the landing
2004 Merlin on left with back pack coaching a crew
2006 Merlin says farewell at Yarra function
Jim Skidmore
June 2024