Ben Shortt

Ben began his rowing journey at Auckland Grammar School, taking up the sport in Year 12 in 2019. He made an immediate impression, narrowly missing out on a podium finish in the Men’s Novice Double Sculls at the Maadi Regatta in his first season.

Just one year later, Ben made a huge leap forward. In only his second year of rowing, he won the Boys’ U18 Four at the 2021 Maadi Regatta and added a silver medal in the Boys’ U18 Eight. These are two of the most prestigious events in New Zealand schoolboy rowing, and the results highlighted Ben’s rapid development and potential. In his final year at Auckland Grammar, Ben was also named captain of the rowing team, taking on an important leadership role alongside his continued success on the water.

Following school, Ben continued his rowing with West End Rowing Club. His first season of club rowing was another standout, with Ben winning four medals at the 2022 New Zealand Rowing Championships – bronze in the Senior Pair, silver in the Premier Coxed Four, and gold medals in both the Senior Four and Senior Eight.

Off the back of this successful season, Ben headed to the University of Washington, where he continued to develop into a high-level collegiate rower. In his freshman year, he raced in Washington’s Second Varsity Eight while also gaining valuable international experience rowing for New Zealand. In 2023, Ben was selected for the New Zealand U23 team and raced in the Men’s Coxed Four at the World Rowing Under 23 Championships, finishing fifth.

Ben continued to make his mark in his sophomore year in 2024, rowing in the Four seat of Washington’s Second Varsity Eight that won gold at the IRA National Championship Regatta. He was again selected for the New Zealand U23 team, this time racing in the Men’s Coxless Four and helping the crew to a bronze medal at the World Rowing Under 23 Championships.

The 2025 season was another big step forward for Ben. He moved into the Varsity Eight and raced in the Four seat as the crew went on to win the IRA National Championship Regatta, one of the biggest honours in US collegiate rowing. He then backed this up on the international stage, winning a silver medal in the New Zealand Men’s Eight at the 2025 World Rowing Under 23 Championships.

Ben’s 2026 season was arguably his most successful yet. Washington’s Men’s Varsity Eight defended their IRA title, winning gold at the 2026 IRA National Championship Regatta and becoming collegiate champions for the second year in a row. Ben was also named co-captain of the team alongside Lyle Donovan – recognition not only of his performances as an athlete, but also of the impact he had on the team as a leader and teammate.

Another highlight of the 2026 season came at the Windermere Cup, where Ben raced in the Washington Varsity Eight that defeated Great Britain and Northeastern to take the win.
After several successful years in the United States, Ben returned to New Zealand in July 2026 to compete at the Rowing NZ Performance Pathway Regatta. He continued to show the consistency and competitiveness that have become a feature of his racing, impressing selectors with his ability to perform under pressure. His performances at the Pathway Regatta earned him selection into the 2026 New Zealand Summer Squad, where he will train and race as part of the NZ Rowing team for the domestic racing season.

Ben has now finished his Bachelor of Science in Economics through the University of Washington and is looking to potentially further his studies at the University of Waikato. He enjoys playing darts and reading books in his spare time.