 Slatter began rowing at the Adelaide University Boat Club in 1989, and rowed in their victorious women's eight at the 1996 Australian University Games, two weeks after winning gold in Atlanta.Slatter made her selection debut for South Australia in 1992 in the state women's coxless four to contest the ULVA Trophy at the Interstate Regatta within the Australian Rowing Championships.She raced in further South Australian women's coxless fours in 1993, 1996 and 1998 seeing a victory in 1996.