Meet New Zealand's rowing elite
New Zealand has a proud record in international rowing and, for a country of four million-plus people, has produced a disproportional number of world champions and Olympic medalists.
Since sculler Darcy Hadfield won New Zealand’s first medal at the Antwerp Olympics in 1920, the black singlet has been equally feared and respected by the world’s 127 rowing nations.
Kiwi athletes have won 16 Olympic medals, 44 World Rowing Championship medals, and a further 22 medals at junior and under-23 world rowing championships. This makes New Zealand one of rowing’s best performers.
New Zealand’s current elite squad includes big names like Mahé Drysdale, and young blades like former junior and under-23 world champion Emma Twigg - all with medal prospects and looking forward to competing on home water at the Karapiro 2010 world championships.
Rob Waddell
- Olympic gold medalist
- Officer of the NZ Order of Merit for services to rowing
- single sculls world champion 1998, 1999
- NZ sportsman of the year 1998, 1999 and 2000
- grinder for Team New Zealand 2003, 2007 America’s Cup
- 2008 double sculls winner at World Cup, Lucerne
What opportunities are there for rowers in NZ, and why do you think the country produces so many world champs?
There’s a huge opportunity here ... the system is well funded and supported from Maadi Cup and secondary school level right through to the Olympics, there are huge opportunities. The two things feed off each other - if we do well at the Olympics that inspires the school kids, and then they aspire to be Olympic champions and we win more medals. Also we are a healthy and an outdoor nation with access to good facilities - New Zealanders tend to be bigger, stronger and more athletically-minded.
Where do you train, and why?
I have only ever trained at Lake Karapiro ... it’s the main place - the weather is consistent, there’s good water and you can go a long way, one way.
What does it mean to you to represent New Zealand?
It means everything to me. It is one thing to represent New Zealand but another to represent NZ well. For me my greatest achievement has to be my Olympic gold medal, it was a very humbling experience. Rowing can be a selfish endeavour but it is hugely satisfying to be able to pay people back with success - to see the joy it gives people when you do well.
What is your favourite place in New Zealand, and why?
I still have a soft spot for Pio Pio in the King Country where I grew up. But I love living in Cambridge, our little family is very settled here. We have a nice farm, family around, we’re close to everything and very happy here.
Mahé Drysdale
- World Champion (four times)
- Olympic bronze medalist
- New Zealand national champion
- NZ Sportsman of the Year 2009
- Member of the NZ Order of Merit for services to rowing
What opportunities are there for rowers in NZ, and why do you think the country produces so many world champs?
Kiwis are tough and have great natural facilities for the sport, we are innovative so don’t need big budgets and rowing is a proven performer so athletes know they have a good chance of doing well internationally.
Where do you train, and why?
I train on Lake Karapiro, it’s fantastic water and a very beautiful environment. It’s world class. We have 15km of uninterrupted flat water which is quite unique.
What does it mean to you to represent New Zealand?
There is a lot of history of success both in rowing and other sports, and it makes you very proud to be a part of the elite group that gets to wear the silver fern.
What is your favourite place in New Zealand, and why?
I love the beach, Hahei on the Coromandel Peninsula is one of my favourite places, it is beautiful and you have a lot of options depending on what you feel like doing.
Emma Twigg
- Former junior and under-23 world champion
- New Zealand national champion
- NZ Halberg Emerging Talent Award 2008
Where do you train, and why?
We train at Lake Karapiro. In my mind it is one of the best, if not the best places to train in the world. Not only is it a beautiful place, the lake is long enough to row for miles without turning round, and wide enough to allow many rowers to train without overcrowding. We also have the advantage of being able to train all year round.
What does it mean to you to represent New Zealand?
I see it as a great honour and privilege to row for my country. I feel very lucky to have been given the opportunities that I have. There is a lot of pride behind the black singlet and silver fern.
What is your favourite place in New Zealand, and why?
I love Lake Taupo ... endless days on the beach or waterskiing behind a boat during my childhood, makes the beautiful sunsets and flat fresh water hard to beat. Every tourist should be given the opportunity to see the stunning scenery and glacial lakes in South Canterbury and the Mt Cook region ... every time I am down that way I remember how lucky we are.
How do you spend your spare time when you are home?
With family, at the beach, waterskiing and relaxing.
Duncan Grant
- Lightweight single sculls world champion 2007, 2008
Where do you train, and why?
The New Zealand team trains on Lake Karapiro - we use about 15km of the lake - an international rowing course. It is long and relatively straight and most mornings glassy calm making it ideal for quality training. We have a new purpose built rowing facility there to compliment the on-water training.
How does the training ground rate in terms of preparing you for world competition?
All training together - juniors to elites - at a centrally based training centre makes us really competitive. It keeps everyone going as fast as they possibly can.
What does it mean to you to represent New Zealand?
To represent one’s country is a great honour. I think that most people aspire at some time or another to represent their nation. Being able to do that and wearing a black singlet with the silver fern on it gives me a sense of pride.
What is your favourite place in New Zealand, and why?
Akaroa in Banks Peninsula and the Marlborough Sounds, both in the South Island, or anywhere in New Zealand that has been unspoilt and still in its natural state. They are quiet and peaceful and relatively untouched places that make me feel honoured to be a New Zealander.
How do you spend your spare time when you are home?
Rowing all year round, training at least twice a day, six days a week doesn’t leave you with much spare time. We normally only have a short break from training for the month of September. Other than that I am gradually working my way through a bachelor of electronic commerce at Waikato University. When I am not rowing, I like to cycle, play the odd game of golf or just basically get out in to the outdoors of which New Zealand has plenty to offer.
Storm Uru
- Under-23 lightweight world champion (two times)
How did you get into rowing?
I got motivated by a close family friend to come along and give rowing a try when I was 12. I was into all sports so I thought I would give it a shot. I really enjoyed the fact that we spent so much time outdoors in the sun in Invercargill.
What opportunities are there for rowers in NZ, and why do you think the country produces so many world champs?
New Zealand produces so many world champs because of our work ethic and our environment in Lake Karapiro. We have access to great coaches, facilities, and many other important factors in becoming a competitive rower. The fantastic achievements of people like Rob Waddell, the Evers-Swindell twins and Mahé Drysdale have shown us that winning on the world stage is possible if you really want it.
Where do you train, and why?
We train on one of the best stretches of water in the world - all year round of course. At times it gets rough and wet however on a whole Lake Karapiro is a great place to train. It also helps being close to a tertiary education centre and also a large town 'Hamilton'.
What does it mean to you to represent New Zealand?
It is the reason I row. Rowing for New Zealand is still largely amateur and that produces an atmosphere where we are all together striving to win for New Zealand and the silver fern. NZ has built up a proud tradition in rowing over the many years, and it gives me a lot of kiwiana to be part of that tradition and hopefully add to it.
What is your favourite place in New Zealand, and why?
Stewart Island - at the bottom of New Zealand ... it is still relatively untouched and a great sanctuary to get away from everything. Even my cell phone doesn't work over there. Also it is great for diving and fishing, two things I have done and enjoyed since I was born.
How do you spend your spare time when you are home?
Relaxing, drinking coffee, catching up with friends and family, and playing sports I normally cannot pursue during rowing season, like snowboarding and surfing.
More information
2010 World Rowing Championships
Cambridge: World Rowing Champs host town
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