1. What inspired you to go to your first rowing practice; was there anything memorable about it?
As a schoolboy my biggest goal had always been to make the 1st XV rugby team, and it seemed that there were some pretty solid guys coming out of the rowing program, so it was logical that getting fitter and stronger would be achievable through rowing...
Beginning rowing training I found the early mornings were particularly nasty, and would often fall asleep at my desk in school as I was getting used to the 'lifestyle'.
My most memorable moment starting off in rowing was when I turned up to the High School Senior Rowing Camp at the end of year 9 and asked the head coach what he thought I needed to do to make the top squads. His answer was fairly brief; I was too short, and I would never make the 1st VIII. It was enough to drive me to succeed and prove him wrong.
2. Was there a practice, race or other event when you fell in love with the sport, or when you knew you might not be too bad at rowing? When you thought you could make the national team?
Despite the early starts I fell in love with the competitive nature of the sport early on. Rowing provides a great opportunity to constantly test yourself, whether it be on the water or on the machine, you receive constant feedback as to how fast and far you can push yourself over the distance. I find it very appealing that the more committed, more technically focused athletes who are willing to put in the work will reap the rewards.
The first signs that I would not be too bad at rowing came in my second year of rowing at high school when I topped the 2km ergo test, and managed to finish second in the sculling race. It made me realise that despite my height I could still move as well as the taller guys.
In my final year in High School we won the Schoolboy VIII at the National Championships, and with the Olympics in Sydney we had an old boy give a speech at assembly about his experience at the Games and winning a silver medal in the 8 in Sydney (Dan Burke). I realised that someone who had once sat in my position at the same school had gone on to make the National team, represent his country at the Olympics and win a medal. From that day I believed that I too could make the national team given enough hard work and dedication, and the Olympics became my ultimate goal.
3. Best race/practice, worst race/practice?
My best race would have to be Lucerne World Cup in 2008. We were largely unknown and looking to qualify the boat in the following regatta in Poland. We managed to win our heat, semi and final. The best part was we picked out little changes we needed to make for each race and we were able to build momentum through the regatta and see the change in speed. Despite finishing second, the Olympic final is another race I would put up there with my best races.
In terms of a worst race I would choose a worst race morning/preparation memory. A few weeks after Lucerne in 2008 at the Olympic Qualifier regatta in Poland we were feeling great after convincingly winning our heat and fairly confident given our results that we would be going to the Olympics. On the morning of the final James Marburg and I went to breakfast and noticed that only one of the other guys was at breakfast - Cam Mckenzie Mcharg. I immediately knew by the look on his face that something was not right. Thats when Cam let us know that our bow man Matt Ryan had been up all night vomiting and whatnot, he would not be racing and that Cam hadn't managed to get much sleep. The mood for racing quickly changed and the mornings preparation was less than ideal.
One of my least enjoyable practices would have to be swimming for cross training as I tend to sink rather than swim.
4. Best/Anything you've done in the sport no one knows about?
In my first year of high school rowing in the 4's I was thrown out of the boat during a training practice. Our coach had us doing a technique drill where you spin the blades backwards whilst coming to the catch. We were handling this somewhat at low rate so the call was made to go to race rate doing the drill. One minute I was feeling particularly anxious about how I would manage the drill with speed, and the next minute I was in the water with a boatload of coaches laughing in amazement.
5- Any/Most important advice for young rowers?
Rowing is very addictive. I would tell younger rowers to understand that rowing is a sport that I believe can't be done in halves. If you're serious about rowing you need to commit 100% or you will never get out of it what you need or want, as rowing rewards those who are willing to put in the hours and constantly look to challenge themselves, improve and compete.
Make sure you enjoy it and never let anyone tell you it can't be done.
Home Town: Sydney, AUS
Club Affiliation: SUBC
Date of Birth: 9/22/82
Height: 6'2"
Weight: 210
Years on National Team: Seven
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