Rowing Australia partners with Filippi to launch performance through to 2028

Rowing Australia (RA) will officially partner with Filippi Lido Srl and their local supplier, Perfect Balance Rowing, in a landmark agreement that will see Filippi supply RA with high-performance boats across multiple national programs and competition levels until 2028.

As one of the world’s leading rowing nations, RA sought expressions of interest from top-tier boat manufacturers to ensure our athletes have access to the best equipment available.

Filippi’s reputation for innovation and excellence made them the ideal partner to underpin our teams’ performances on both the domestic and international stage.

Rowing Australia Performance Director Paul Thompson MBE said Filippi had played an ongoing role in supporting RA’s pathways program and the agreement would ensure athletes had best-in-class boats for racing and training.

"Filippi has been an integral part of Rowing Australia's success for years, particularly in developing our pathway athletes,” Thompson said. 

“This partnership ensures all our athletes from Senior, Pathways, Para and Beach Sprint squads will continue to have access to world-class equipment that meets the highest standards of performance."

Filippi Lido Srl is at the forefront of rowing boat design and performance.

More international rowing programs trust Filippi boats to perform at their best on the world stage than any other brand.

At the Paris 2024 Games, Filippi boats accounted for 64% of the total rowing medal tally and 61% in Tokyo, a testament to their craftsmanship and dedication to producing elite level rowing shells.

Despite their historical success, Filippi continues to push the boundaries of rowing boat innovation.

Their new Performance range sets a new benchmark for speed, efficiency and structural integrity, utilising cutting-edge materials and manufacturing techniques to deliver unmatched results on the water.

Through this partnership, Filippi will supply RA with:

• Domestic National Training Centre (NTC) training fleet, Beach Sprint, Para-Rowing and Pathways fleets
• International Senior, Para and Pathways racing and training fleets

Perfect Balance Rowing will act as Filippi’s local supplier, ensuring seamless integration of Filippi boats into RA’s High Performance programs.

“It is a dream come true to put our expertise at the disposal of such a prestigious Federation as the Australian one, with the upcoming Olympic cycle heading towards Los Angeles,” David Fillipi said.

“Especially because rowing, more than in other places, has deep roots in that continent, with an incredible base of participants compared to other realities, thanks to its spread in schools.

“We have been collaborating with the Australian Federation at various levels for years, and the partnership we are formalizing today is the result of a long journey, but one that is based on solid convictions, perfectly summarized by the words of Performance Director Paul Thompson, whom we want to thank along with his collaborators for their fairness and foresight. Our team will give its best to be up to the task entrusted to us.

“Good luck to the athletes and the entire staff of the Australian Federation. I am confident that we will do great work together!"

Additionally, Rowing Australia acknowledges the ongoing domestic support provided by Sykes, who continue to supply small boats (Pairs and Singles) for RA’s NTC programs in Australia.

RA looks forward to a successful partnership with Filippi and Perfect Balance Rowing as we continue to strive for excellence on the world stage.