ROWING: Australian rower Joshua Hooper is seeking boat race redemption on the River Thames this weekend before shifting focus to his Rio Olympic dream.

Hooper will contest the prestigious London event for the second straight year as he looks to help Cambridge avenge a heavy defeat to Oxford in 2014.

The 26-year-old land economy student felt Cambridge didn't get a "proper crack" at last year's race after an early clash between crews allowed Oxford to power ahead to the biggest winning margin in more than 40 years.

Hooper, one of four Cambridge crew members returning this year, is convinced they can turn the tables after an impressive build-up which included a win over the national side.

"This is the best crew I've been a part of since being here and, based on the results we've had so far, I'm pretty confident we can turn it around," Hooper said.

"Having lost last year creates a lot of fuel for the fire and everyone is pretty hungry to get the win."

Beyond this weekend, Hooper has set his sights on breaking into the Australian national team in time for next year's Olympics.

He plans to take part in the 2014 world championships trials for overseas-based rowers in late June and feels his boat race experience will hold him in good stead.

"Rowing here, you're juggling full time studies so there's a lot of added pressure but the training program itself is still an international level program," Hooper said.

"You're racing against world championship rowers, from Europe in particular, so it's definitely a really good stepping stone to move on to the national team."

Thousands of spectators will line the banks of the Thames for the 161st running of the iconic race.

Cambridge leads the series since 1829 by 81-78.

AAP