Fred Vavasour

Fred began rowing in 2018 at Marlborough Boys’ College, where he quickly showed great promise both on and off the water. He was named a prefect and Head of Awatere House, reflecting his strong leadership skills and positive influence within the school. 

In his first year of rowing, Fred made an impressive debut, winning a silver medal in the Boys’ Novice Double at Maadi Regatta. His success continued throughout his school rowing career, and in 2021, his final year, he claimed silver in the highly competitive Boys’ U18 Pair. That same year, he captained the Marlborough Boys’ College rowing team, a testament to his commitment, leadership, and contribution to team culture.

After finishing school, Fred moved to Dunedin to study at the University of Otago, where he worked towards a Bachelor of Science majoring in Neuroscience. Alongside his studies, he continued to pursue rowing, representing both the Otago University Rowing Club and Wairau Rowing Club. At the 2022 NZ University Rowing Championships, he won two silver medals for Otago in the Men’s Championship Eight and Four. Later that season, at the NZ Rowing Championships, Fred secured three medals – a bronze in the Premier Men’s Double, a silver in the U22 Double, and a gold in the Men’s Senior Coxless Quad – highlighting his growing strength as a young up-and-coming rower.

In 2023, Fred continued his success, adding multiple medals at the NZ University Championships and another bronze in the Premier Coxless Quad at the NZ Rowing Championships. These consistent results earned him selection for his first New Zealand representative team, the U21 Trans-Tasman team, where he raced against Australia in the annual regatta.

Building on his experience, Fred had a breakout year in 2024. Competing for Avon Rowing Club, he enjoyed one of his most successful domestic seasons to date, winning four medals at NZ Rowing Championships. These included silver medals in the Men’s Senior Eight and Premier Eight, and gold medals, as well as national titles, in both the Men’s Senior Coxless Four and U22 Coxless Pair. His standout season demonstrated his hard work, determination, and continued upward trajectory in the sport. Fred also represented Avon at the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta in the Thames cup, where the crew made it to quarterfinals day. Fred then travelled to China to race with the Otago Men’s Championship eight, where the crew placed third at the International University Regatta. 

In 2025, Fred stepped up into the Premier category at NZ Rowing Championships, where he proved he could match New Zealand’s top elite rowers. Racing with Henry Kirk, he won silver in the Men’s Premier Coxless Pair, beating several Elite Summer Squad combinations. His performances earned him a trial for the 2025 U23 World Championships in Poland, where he impressed selectors and was chosen to stroke the New Zealand U23 Men’s Coxed Eight. The crew delivered an outstanding performance, claiming the silver medal.

Following his success on the world stage and consistent domestic results, Fred was selected into the 2025–2026 New Zealand Elite Summer Squad. He had a strong first domestic season with the Summer Squad, winning silver in the Men’s Pair at the North Island Championships and placing second in the same event at the National Rowing Championships. Fred then trialled for the Elite World Cup team and was successfully selected into the Men’s Four. Fred and his crew had a very successful World Cup campaign where they were in the A final at World Cup I in Spain and winning a bronze medal at World Cup II in Bulgaria. Fred then trained at the World Championships Confirmation trial where he was successfully reselected into the Mens Four as well as being named in the Mens eight to race at the 2026 World Championships in Amsterdam.

Outside of rowing, Fred demonstrates strong leadership and community involvement. He has completed his Bronze and Silver Duke of Edinburgh Awards and attended the Wellington Young Leaders Conference. In the upcoming year, Fred is looking to pursue postgraduate study in psychology.  His hobbies outside of rowing include mountain biking and golf.