The Warrnambool athlete has wrapped up at the FISA World Rowing Championships in Poland, where his lightweight fours contested last night's C final.

The team of Bertrand, Angus Tyers (Vic), Ross Brown (WA) and Darryn Purcell (Qld) finished second ina time of 6:43.91.

Great Britain won with Belgium third.

Bertrand admitted his first open-age world titles had been a learning curve.

``It's definitely a good experience,'' he said. ``You come here and think you'll do all right and then you realise you're not quite good enough.

``It hurts but it's still worthwhile.''

The titles have influenced a renewed focus on his return home.

``I think for me, I need to race harder domestically,'' Bertrand said.

``When you race in Australia, I don't think you have the same intensity as international rowers have.

``That's been a real eye-opener.

``It sounds simple but I just need to train and race harder.''

He conceded he was coming to the end of a hectic period which began with the World Under 23 Rowing Championships last month in the Czech Republic.

``We finished ninth,'' he said. ``It wasn't the result we were after but I think we performed to our capability, which was pleasing.''

After the titles, he was in Paris with his girlfriend and his father when Australian rowing officials contacted him to be on standby for the World Rowing Championships.

``I think that was a good way to do it,'' he said. ``I had a bit of time off and was able to freshen up before I came back to race.''

Bertrand is looking forward to returning to Warrnambool next month.

``I'll just spend a bit of time out of the water and do some strength training,'' the 22-year-old said. ``Maybe boxing, which will be something out of the ordinary for me.''

He was also excited about spending time with his parents Tom and Val, to whom he is grateful for their help in funding his world title campaigns.