Finn Hamill

Finn (Finlay) started rowing in 2016 with St John’s College. He started his rowing career off strong by claiming silver in the U18 Novice Double at the 2017 Maadi Regatta.

The following year, Finn claimed another silver in the Boy’s U16 Single at the Maadi Regatta. In Finn’s Year 12 high-school year with St Johns College in 2019, he made the NZ U21 team as a Lightweight, competing against Australia in the Trans-Tasman series. In 2020, Finn had a strong squad with St John’s winning the Boy’s U18 Coxed Quad at the North Island Secondary School Championships, as well as silver in the Boy’s U18 Single. unfortunately, Covid cancelled the 2020 Maadi Regatta. Finn was a part of the 2020 Junior longlist.

In 2021, Finn had a standout season competing for Waikato Rowing Club, where he went on to win Gold in the Men’s Senior Single, Double and Quad – the Senior Sculling trifecta! Finn went on to make the 2021 NZ U21 Team again, competing at the Winter Series campaigns.

Finn took some time away in 2022, travelling the world with family on their yacht.

In the summer season of 2022/23, Finn competed for Waikato Rowing again. He had his most successful season, winning his first Premier National Title at the 2023 National Rowing Championship in the Men’s Premier Double Scull with Robbie Manson, also winning the Men’s Premier Quad – earning two red coats. Finn also won the Men’s Senior Single.

Finn has now been named in the 2023 Elite Men’s Lightweight Sculling Squad, where he has a goal of qualifying the Elite Men’s Lightweight Double at the 2023 World Rowing championships for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Finn raced in the Elite Lightweight Men’s Single Scull at the 2023 World Rowing Cup III, claiming 13th overall.

Finn went on to compete at the 2023 World Rowing U23 Championship in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, where he secured a silver medal. His strong performances earned him another selection for the 2024 U23 team, competing in Canada as part of the Men’s Quad.

The 2024-2025 season has been nothing short of exceptional for Finn. He dominated the international stage, winning the Men’s Single title at the prestigious Head of the Charles held in Boston, and claimed his first world title in the coastal men’s solo. He also set a world record for the 45km BMW Around the Island coastal rowing race in Hong Kong with doubles partner Matt Dunham in November 2024.

Returning to New Zealand, he continued his winning streak, claiming victory in the Men’s Premier Single at both the North Island Club Championships and the National Club Championships. Alongside his individual success, Finn has also impressed in doubles and pairs, partnering with former Elite rower Matt Dunham to deliver standout performances.

Following this success he was named with Ben Mason to compete at the 2025 World Cups. They have had a standout season on the international stage where they produced two thrilling photo-finish races on the World Cup circuit, winning Bronze in Varase, World Cup 1 and Silver in Lucerne at World Cup 2. The pair then won the prestigious Men’s Double Sculls Challenge Cup at the 2025 Henley Royal Regatta, defeating Australia which was an incredible achievement. Finn also excelled individually, finishing second in the Men’s Single Sculls at Henley — a remarkable performance that saw him defeat reigning Olympic Champion Oliver Ziedler and Simon Van Drop who won Bronze at the Olympics.

Following a strong run of domestic and international performances, Finn and Ben secured selection through the Elite Trials to represent New Zealand in the Men’s Double at the 2025 World Championships in Shanghai. The crew delivered a series of tightly contested races, just missing out on the A Final before placing second in the B Final to finish eighth overall. Finn’s consistency and determination throughout the campaign showcased his continued development and ability to perform at the highest level. Finn was also selected for New Zealand’s Coastal Beach Sprints World Championships team in the men’s single and competed in Turkey. He then attended the Head of the Charles Regatta for the second year in a row, winning the men’s single scull — a huge achievement at such a prestigious event.

Following a very successful year, Finn returned to New Zealand to train and race with the 2025–2026 Summer Squad. He went on to become National Champion in both the men’s single scull and the men’s quad. Finn was then invited to trial for the 2026 World Cup Team. After a successful trial, he earned selection and returned to the international stage in previous combination with Ben Mason in the men’s double. Ben and Finn had a successful World Cup campaign with an impressive silver medal at World Cup II in Plovdiv. Returning to New Zealand, the duo continued their form at the World Championships Confirmation Trials, where they secured re-selection as a combination for the 2026 World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam.

Off the water, Finn works as a mechanic for Concept 2. He has a passion for adventure, enjoying traveling, boating, and kite surfing. You can follow his outdoor lifestyle and family adventures on social media at @thekiwiboysofficial and @thecruisingkiwis.