Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) rowers enjoyed much success at the 2009 Australian Selection Trials, which ran 17–8 April at the Sydney International Regatta Centre, Penrith.

Former AIS rowers Kim Crow (Victoria) and Sarah Cook (ACT) shared the first victory, in the first heat of the women’s pair. Crow and Cook, who finished fourth in the B final of the same event at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, crossed the line in 7 minutes and 26.03 seconds.

AIS rowers Libby Alderman and Emily Rose from Western Australia won the second heat in 7 minutes and 31.89 seconds.

With Australia opting not to race a men’s double scull in 2009 there were only five places available on the Australian team for scullers, and accordingly the three heats of the men’s single scull were hotly contested.

Olympic Gold medallist in double scull David Crawshay (Victoria) won the first heat of the single scull, crossing the line in 7:12.74, three seconds ahead of current AIS rower Danjels Reedman (NSW) and James McRae (SA), in third place.

Nick Hudson (NSW) recorded the quickest time — 7:10.65 — winning the second heat just ahead of former AIS rower Sam Loch (NSW) and Matt Bolt (SA). Dan Noonan (NSW) was the winner of the final heat with a time of 7:15.26.

Current AIS rowers Fergus Pragnell (NSW) and Tom Swann (Victoria) cruised to victory in heat three of the men’s pair, setting the quickest time of 6:47.23.

Olympic silver medallists Cameron McKenzie-McHarg and James Marburg both from Victoria won the first heat of the men’s four in 6:47.85, only a second faster than AIS rowers Tom Larkins (Victoria) and Dominic Grimm (NSW) in the second heat.