Mercantile Radio

In Part 2 of this special conversation, Sue Chapman-Popa moves from Olympian to coach, mentor and parent, sharing the lessons that helped shape Olympic Gold Medallist Rosie Popa and thousands of athletes who have learned to row on the Yarra. This is a conversation about leadership, trust, coaching and creating environments where people can thrive. Why This Conversation Matters 1. Parenting Elite A...

Before Australian women stood on Olympic podiums, there were pioneers willing to challenge convention. In Part 1 of this special two-part conversation, Drew Ginn OAM sits down with Olympic bronze medallist Sue Chapman-Popa to revisit one of the defining moments in Australian rowing history: the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. From learning to row at Lauriston in 1978, when girls on the Yarra were...

Few people have experienced rowing from as many perspectives as Martin Cross. Olympic Champion. World Championship medallist. Coach. Author. Broadcaster. Storyteller. In this episode of Mercantile Radio, Drew Ginn OAM sits down with one of rowing's most respected voices to explore a lifetime in the sport. From winning Olympic Gold in the Coxed Four at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games to beco...

Few athletes embody resilience and longevity quite like Erik Horrie OAM PLY. A five-time Paralympian, multiple World Champion and one of Australia's most successful para-rowers, Erik has spent more than a decade redefining what is possible in elite sport. In this episode of Mercantile Radio, Erik joins Drew Ginn for a candid conversation about the lessons learned across a remarkable career. Fr...

In this episode of Mercantile Radio , Drew sits down with one of Australia's most remarkable endurance athletes, Cam Wurf . From representing Australia in the Athens Olympic rowing eight, to riding Grand Tours with some of cycling's biggest names, and now competing at the highest level of Ironman triathlon, Cam reflects on a career defined by reinvention, resilience and relentless curiosity. Who i...

The 2026 international rowing season is officially underway, and what a start it was. Drew Ginn sits down with two of rowing’s most respected voices- Noel Donaldson and David “Chippa” Colvin - to unpack the opening World Cup of the season in Seville, Spain. Returning to the famed course for the first time in over two decades, the regatta delivered fast conditions, high-quality racing, and plenty o...

What does it feel like to execute a race that is 99.9% perfect, only to miss out on Olympic Gold by less than half a second? In this episode of Mercantile Radio, we sit down with Sydney 2000 Silver medalist Christian Ryan to uncover the brutal margins, hidden psychology, and off-water alchemy of elite big-boat racing. From his roots in regional Victoria to anchoring the historic 1998 U23 World Cha...

In this episode of Mercantile Radio, we sit down with Mercantile’s rising young rowers - Gabi Price, Georgie “G” Campbell, and Jake Polkinghorne - ahead of their international campaign. Drawn from Mercs’ youth, U21/U23 and senior squads, the group will race at the Holland Beker before taking on the Henley Royal Regatta. The trio unpack the realities of Scott Rowe’s brutal training program, the tec...

What does it actually take to survive the most brutal race in the world? In this episode of Mercantile Radio, we sit down with Norway’s most decorated rower, two-time Olympic Single Scull Champion Olaf Tufte. Before he ever touched an oar, Tufte built an unbreakable engine dragging timber on a Norwegian farm and racing motocross—entering the sport late with "10,000 hours" already in his...

In this landmark episode of Mercantile Radio , Drew Ginn OAM sits down with John Bowes and Randall Martin , the architects behind Queensland’s historic, drought-breaking King’s Cup victory. This is a masterclass in elite coaching, exploring how they navigated 87 years of pressure and a "bloody gale" to build a winning dynasty. From the strategic rise of the US collegiate pathway to the t...

We’re joined by legendary Strength and Conditioning coach Kemble Edelsten, the man who has spent over three decades turning schoolboy and schoolgirl rowers into elite level athletes. From the "Coke Can" secret to core stability to why your breathing might be the one thing holding back your erg score, Kemble breaks down the exact land-based blueprint used at programs like Scotch College t...

What happens when you combine Australian grit with Swiss precision?
 You get the coaching mastery of Marty Aitken, the man behind one of the greatest Olympic upsets in history. In this episode, we step inside the tactical “war room” of the 1996 Atlanta Games to uncover how Marty coached Zeno Müller to gold by redefining the relationship between athlete and mentor. From unconventional training meth...

In this bonus episode of Mercantile Radio, Drew sits down with James Tomkins to unpack what he focused on, thought about, and felt throughout the stroke. This conversation dives into the subtle details that define world-class rowing - from connection and rhythm to efficiency and feel - offering practical insights into what it takes to row well, row fast, and row effectively. Enjoy the new video co...

In this episode, Lucy Stephan trades her Tokyo 2020 gold medal for a coach's whistle, offering a raw and masterfully honest look at the transition. From the "5-4-3-2-1" mental routine she used to conquer the world to the gruelling process of untangling her self-worth from her results, Lucy reveals why the hardest race isn't against the crew in the next lane—it’s the one inside yo...

In this episode Drew Ginn engages in a deep conversation with David Crawshay, an esteemed Australian rower who achieved Olympic glory at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. David’s journey exemplifies resilience, mindset, and the essence of doing the simple things exceptionally well. His story serves as both inspiration and a powerful reminder of the mental aspects of sports and life. Who is David Crawshay...

In this episode of Mercantile Radio, Drew sits down with Ken Davey, the founder of Decent Rowing. Recorded in the heart of the Mercantile Rowing Club, this conversation explores the evolution of rowing education, the power of video analysis, and how to bridge the gap between elite coaching and club-level development. Who is Ken Davey? Ken Davey is a Tasmanian rowing coach and innovator who has spe...

What happens when the world’s most renowned biomechanist sits down with one of the greatest technical rowers of all time? In this episode of Mercantile Radio, we bridge the gap between the laboratory and the water as we welcome Dr. Valery Kleshnev, Crewlab Founder Simon Hoadley and Drew Ginn OAM OLY. From their formative days at the AIS to the secrets behind the "Oarsome Foursome," this...

From Tassie rivers to Olympic podiums: community, persistence & the love of racing with Kate Hornsey OLY In this episode of Mercantile Radio, Drew Ginn OAM OLY is joined by Tasmanian rowing legend and Olympic medallist Kate Hornsey OLY. This conversation dives deep into Kate’s journey from a "FOMO-driven" junior in Tasmania to standing on the Olympic podium. Who is Kate Hornsey? Kate Hornsey is on...

Nick Bartlett – “The coach who Started Over” There’s a canal in regional Victoria that almost no one knows about. The coach who found it had to lose everything he thought he knew first. In this episode, Drew Ginn OAM OLY sits down with Nick Bartlett to discuss the unique challenges and unexpected triumphs of building a high-performance rowing program in regional Victoria. From navigating the &quot...

Switching On: David “Chipper” Colvin on Average Speed, Elite Focus, and the '92 Eight Chipper’s journey spans decades of elite rowing history, from steering the Oarsome Foursome through their legendary 1990 unbeaten domestic season to the Barcelona Olympics and a hard-fought bronze at the 1997 World Championships. Chipper shares rare insights into the "switch on, switch off" mentalit...

Reg Crawford- The Architecture of Trust: War Zones, Collingwood, and 200km Rows In this episode, Drew Ginn OAM OLY sits down with his long-time collaborator and friend, Reg Crawford. From the high-stakes environments of SAS operations to the high-performance culture of the Collingwood Football Club and the grueling world of elite rowing, Reg provides a no-nonsense masterclass on leadership under p...

Episode 23 The Mechanics of Dominance with New Zealand Legend Eric Murray CNZM In this episode, Drew Ginn OAM OLY sits down with New Zealand rowing royalty, Eric Murray CNZM. We dive deep into the journey of the "Kiwi Pair," the transition from the disappointment of the 2008 Beijing Olympics to their legendary undefeated streak, and the raw, technical physics of how they moved a boat fas...

High Performance Isn’t Loud - It’s Harmonic: Lessons from Nick Green and the Oarsome Foursome. Who is Nick Green OAM OLY? Nick Green OAM OLY was a member of the "Oarsome Foursome" from 1990 to 1996. The ‘Oarsome foursome” was one of the most dominant crews in history, having won almost every major international race between 1990 and 1996. His success extended to the World Championships,...

A conversation with GB Strength and Conditioning specialist Alex Wolf Who is Alex Wolf? Former Head of Strength and Conditioning for English Institute of Sport and consultant to various Rowing National Teams. Why is this conversation important? Rethinking Rowing Techniques -Knee vs. Hip Dominance in Rowing Traditional belief sees rowing as hip-driven—Alex argues it's predominantly knee-dominan...

Insights from Hayley Verbunt, Australian National Team Coxswain Ever wondered what it takes to guide a crew to victory from the coxswain seat? Hayley Verbunt, a national team athlete, recently shared her fascinating journey and expertise on Mercantile Radio, offering a rare glimpse into the art and science of coxing at the highest level. Who is Hayley Verbunt? From her early days at Firbank Gramma...