Ciona Wilson
Launceston Grammar and Tamar Rowing Club (TAS)
Ciona Wilson from Tasmania has been a quiet yet consistent force in Australian rowing. Her journey through the sport has been defined by steady progress, versatility, and a determination to keep pushing herself to new heights. From her early days in the junior ranks to competing on the world stage, Ciona has shown that a strong work ethic and persistence can lead to success, even if it’s not always in the spotlight.
Getting Started (2009-2012)
Ciona's rowing career took off in 2009 when she was still young. At just 18 years old, she competed in the National Women's Under 19 Pair, where she secured a respectable 3rd place. She also helped her Schoolgirl Four team claim 1st place, marking her first major national title. While her Youth Eight team finished 6th that year, it was clear that Ciona was someone to keep an eye on.
In 2010, she doubled down on her strength in pairs and fours, coming 3rd in the Under 19 Women's Pair again and helping her Schoolgirl Four earn a 3rd place finish. Though her Schoolgirl Eight team didn’t make the finals, Ciona’s results were starting to stand out as someone who could compete in multiple boat classes.
By 2011, Ciona had moved up into the Under 23 category, testing her mettle in tougher competition. Although she didn't make any podiums that year—placing 9th in the Under 23 Women’s Pair and 5th in the Under 23 Women’s Eight—her performances showed that she wasn’t backing down from a challenge. In 2012, she continued to build on that experience, claiming 3rd in the Under 23 Women’s Four and 6th in the Under 23 Women's Eight at the National Championships. Even though her results weren’t at the very top, she was gaining the kind of experience that would pay off later.
The Climb (2013-2014)
The next couple of years were a bit of a mixed bag for Ciona, but she kept showing up and pushing herself, not letting any of the setbacks slow her down. In 2013, she grabbed 4th place in the National Women’s Eight Championship and helped her team to 6th in the Interstate Women’s Eight Championship. She was starting to prove that she could hang with the best, and her ability to stay competitive, even when not at the top, was starting to shine through.
2014 marked a breakthrough of sorts. Ciona grabbed 3rd in the Under 23 Women's Eight at the National Championships. She also made solid finishes in the Under 23 Women’s Pair and Women’s Four events, showing she could compete across different categories. While she didn’t top the podium in 2014, these results showed that she was improving steadily and setting herself up for bigger things down the line.
Shining Moments (2015-2018)
After a few years of solid development, 2015 was the year when Ciona started to show what she was capable of. Competing in singles, doubles, and the quad, she earned 6th place in the Women’s Scull Championship and 4th in the Women’s Double Scull Championship. While she didn’t land on the podium, the fact that she was competing at a high level across different boat types was impressive. She wasn’t just settling into one type of race; she was versatile, and that was an advantage in the long run.
But 2016 was where things really started to click. Ciona's results in the National Championships that year were her best yet, taking 3rd in the Women’s Quad Scull and continuing to show that she had what it took to compete at a high level across a range of events. 2018 was another major turning point. Ciona’s performance at the National Championships that year was exceptional: she took home 1st place in both the Women’s Four and Women’s Eight. But the real highlight came at the World Rowing Championships. Her team in the Women’s Eight earned a bronze medal, which was a huge achievement on the world stage. Ciona had finally broken through and was now a key member of the Australian rowing team.
The Road Ahead (2019-2021)
After her breakout year in 2018, Ciona continued to push herself and compete at a high level. In 2019, she earned 5th in the Women’s Pair and 6th in the Interstate Women’s Eight at the National Championships. While she didn’t clinch a podium spot, her consistency kept her in the mix with some of the best rowers in Australia.
That same year, Ciona was named a reserve for the Australian Women's Sweep Team at the World Championships, which was an exciting opportunity to learn from the top rowers in the world. While 2020 was a year of uncertainty due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Ciona remained focused on training and staying ready. With many events canceled, she was still entering in various categories like the pair and double sculls, which shows just how adaptable she is.
The 2021 season saw Ciona back at it, finishing 7th in the Women’s Pair and 4th in the Women’s Four at the National Championships. Her Women’s Eight team came 2nd, continuing her solid results at home. Even though she hadn’t quite hit the top spot, Ciona’s steady performances in these challenging categories proved that she was still a strong contender and an important part of the team.
What’s Next?
While Ciona’s career hasn’t been about dominating every single race, she’s always been in the hunt, making sure to be a consistent competitor and never backing down from the challenge. With her ability to perform in a wide range of boat classes and her persistence, she has carved out a successful career. Her journey isn’t just about podium finishes; it’s about resilience, growth, and the determination to always improve.
Ciona’s legacy is one of hard work and steady improvement. She’s proven herself time and time again, both at the national level
2018 World Championships - Ciona back row right hand side
Some rowing highlights
2009 - National Women's Under 19 Pair, bow - Third
2009 - National Women's Under 19 Eight Championship, seven seat - Sixth
2009 - National Schoolgirl Four Championship, three seat - First
2009 - Interstate Women's Youth Eight Championship, three seat - Sixth
2010 - National Women's Under 19 Pair, stroke - Third
2010 - National Schoolgirl Four Championship, three seat - Third
2010 - National Schoolgirl Eight Championship, seven seat - Final B
2011 - National Under 23 Women's Pair Championship, stroke - Ninth
2011 - National Women's Under 23 Eight Championship, seven seat - Fifth
2011 - Interstate Women's Youth Eight Championship, five seat - Sixth
2012 - National Under 23 Women's Pair Championship, bow - Ninth
2012 - National Under 23 Women's Four Championship, three seat - Third
2012 - National Women's Under 23 Eight Championship, seven seat - Sixth
2012 - Interstate Women's Youth Eight Championship, seven seat - Sixth
2013 - National Under 23 Women's Pair Championship, stroke - Seventh
2013 - National Under 23 Women's Four Championship, two seat - Sixth
2013 - National Women's Eight Championship, seven seat - Fourth
2013 - Interstate Women's Eight Championship, stroke - Sixth
2014 - National Under 23 Women's Pair Championship, stroke - Sixth
2014 - National Under 23 Women's Four Championship, two seat - Sixth
2014 - National Championship Women's Under 23 Eight, seven seat - Third
2014 - Interstate Women's Eight Championship, seven seat - Fifth
2015 - National Women's Scull Championship - Sixth
2015 - National Women's Double Scull Championship, stroke - Fourth
2015 - Interstate Women's Eight Championship, seven seat - Fifth
2016 - National Women's Scull Championship - Tenth
2016 - National Women's Double Scull Championship, stroke -Sixth
2016 - National Women's Quad Scull Championship, two seat - Third
2016 - Interstate Women's Scull Championship - Sixth
2018 - National Women's Four Championship, two seat - First
2018 - National Women's Eight Championship, seven seat - First
2018 - Interstate Women's Scull Championship - Sixth
2018 - World Championship Women's Eight, six seat - Third
2019 - National Women's Pair Championship, bow - Fifth
2018 - National Women's Four Championship, stroke - Second
2019 - Interstate Women's Eight Championship, seven seat - Sixth
2019 - World Championships, women's sweep reserve
2020 - National Championships cancelled due to pandemic - entered in pair, double
2021 - National Women's Pair Championship - Seventh
2021 - National Women's Four Championship - Fourth
2021 - National Women's Eight Championship - Second
2018 Women's Eight Championship - Ciona front row third from the right
Steve Roll and Andrew Guerin, June 2021
Commentary added by Jack Hargreaves, April 2025