At just 17, Isobel “Izzy” Egan has gone from a school shed at Radford College in Canberra to the world stage, representing Australia in the U23 PR3 Women’s Single Scull at the 2025 World Rowing Under 23 Championships in Poznan, Poland.
It’s been a whirlwind.
Just five months ago, Egan raced in her first para event at the Australian Rowing Championships (#ARC25), in which she returned to the capital with three national titles.
Now, she’s just finished her first international regatta wearing the green and gold.
And if you ask her how it all happened, she’ll tell you: “You might as well give it a shot, you have no idea where it’ll take you.”
Egan's journey into rowing began like many Australian school athletes: with a taster day in Year 6.
“They took us down to the shed to try it out,” she said.
“A coach said I looked good at it, and I thought, 'well, I guess I should keep going'.”
From there, it became more than just another school sport.
Training became routine.
Technique and timing became second nature.
Then came the results; three Gold medals at the #ARC25, including titles in the PR3 Women’s Single Scull, PR3 Mixed Double and PR3 Sprint.
But even with the podium finishes and fast times, Egan never imagined herself as a para-athlete.
“I just didn’t think I was ‘impaired enough’ to qualify. I always tried everything growing up, dance, gymnastics, basketball, soccer.
“No one ever told me I couldn’t do something because of my foot.”
Born with hip dysplasia, a surgical attempt to correct the condition at 18 months left her with nerve damage down her right leg.
Today, she wears an ankle brace for daily stability and has limited strength and range of motion in her lower limb.
“I can’t lift my foot towards myself, and my calf and ankle are noticeably weaker,” Egan said.
“But it never really stopped me from doing what I wanted.”
After years of assuming para-rowing was for athletes with more severe or visible impairments, she took a leap and got in touch with the right people.
What followed was far easier than she expected.
“The classification process was actually really simple. It was kind of like going to a physio, they just tested how my body moved. It wasn’t scary at all,” Egan said.
Training in Varese, pre-Worlds, came with its fair share of challenges, including a rib injury post-trials and the distance from home. And, of course, being the youngest in the squad.
“There were definitely hard moments. Coming over by myself, not knowing anyone except Sam [Stunell], and he didn’t arrive for another week. It was tough,” Egan said.
“But once I was on the water, it all felt worth it. Rowing became the easy part. It felt mindful, like a break from everything else.”
One moment in particular made everything click.
“We were sitting on the lake and [coach] Christine [MacLaren] pointed out the Swiss Alps. I looked around and thought, ‘Holy crap. I’m actually here’. That’s when it really hit me.”
At the 2025 U23 World Championships, Egan finished second in the world in the U23 PR3 Single Sculls, finishing 1.22s off the eventual champion from Ukraine.
But she’s also got unfinished business back home: school rowing.
“I want to stay competitive in school races too. I’ve still got my eyes on a Schoolgirl Quad Gold at the 2026 Australia Rowing Championships,” Egan said.
For now, though, she’s focused on soaking it all in.
And when asked what she’d say to someone who might be on the fence about exploring para-rowing?
“Just give it a crack,” Egan said.
“You don’t have to say yes to everything, but even just having the option to represent your country is a crazy, incredible thing. Most of the time, what happens is really positive. So why not try?”
Think you might be eligible for para-rowing?
Rowing Australia wants to hear from you.
If you have a physical impairment that affects your movement, you might be eligible to compete at the national or international level.
Take the first step by filling out Rowing Australia’s Expression of Interest form. It’s the easiest way to connect with RA’s Para Lead Coach, Christine MacLaren, and Para Head Coach, James Loveday.
You might be closer to pulling on the green and gold than you think.