In a proud moment for Maties Sport, Isabella Bruce, a third year BA Development and Environment student-athlete representing the Maties Rowing Club at Stellenbosch University, received her official national colours in coastal rowing at the prestigious Buffalo (RMB) Regatta in East London last month.  

“Receiving my national colours at the Buffalo Regatta felt like a privilege and an honour,” Bruce said. “I am forever grateful for the support of my teammates and national squad coaches who helped me get to that point in my journey.” 

Her achievement recognises outstanding performance and commitment in the emerging discipline of coastal rowing, a testament to her dedication both on the water and in the classroom.  

At the prize-giving ceremony, Bruce donned her national blazer, symbolising her selection to represent South Africa in coastal rowing competitions. A significant milestone for any student-athlete. 

Bruce’s success comes amid a broader push by the Maties Rowing Club to support diverse rowing disciplines. Maties Rowing has grown into one of the country’s vibrant university rowing programmes, offering opportunities in both traditional flat-water events and coastal formats.  

Coastal rowing is a dynamic, sea-facing version of rowing that challenges athletes with open water conditions, including waves, tides, and variable wind. Unlike conventional flat water rowing, where races are typically held on lakes or dams. 

“I find coastal rowing a lot more exciting compared to flat water rowing, as the conditions are always different for every race, the set of waves could be bigger, the wind could change directions, the swell could get stronger, all the variables make it an exhilarating challenge,” explains Bruce.  

She added that the discipline goes beyond rowing alone. 

“It’s being agile enough to sprint on sand, navigate the course, understand the motion of the waves and how you can use them to help propel you to victory and of course the last run to the finish line, where you can’t feel your legs and your dive for the buzzer, hoping to have beaten your opponent by a few seconds.” 

For Isabella, the club played a pivotal role in her journey into the sport. 

“Maties Rowing is where my love for rowing started,” she said. “Joining the club in my first year in 2024, I instantly fell in love with the sport and the people I met along the way.” 

She added that the environment helped prepare her for the demands of elite coastal competition. 

“Maties Rowing helped me form a base for coastal rowing where my national coaches were able to fine-tune my skills and help me excel in the sport.” 

Looking ahead, Bruce has clear ambitions on the international stage. 

“My goal for the near future is to go to the 2026 World Rowing Coastal event in Qingdao, China, where we will participate in beach sprint rowing and an endurance race at the coast,” she said. “In the long term, I would love to strive for the 2032 Olympic Games, but for now my journey to China is the first milestone.” 

Bruce’s achievement not only celebrates her personal milestone but also highlights the expanding landscape of rowing at Maties Sport. With coastal rowing continuing to grow globally, Maties athletes are increasingly finding new pathways to represent South Africa on the international stage.