Name: Rob Hamill
Occupation: World Champion Rower

Rob has organised three Trans-Atlantic rowing campaigns, all of which resulted in victories. The race takes over 40 days to complete, two people rowing alternately day and night non-stop! Rob’s other rowing achievements include a silver medal at the World Championships in 1994, gold at the Commonwealth Regatta, and a world record on the indoor rowing machine. He also represented New Zealand at the Atlanta Olympics in 1996.

Rob Hamill’s answers to questions from students:

Dear Rob
How old were you when you started competing? How old are you now?
From Logan
Hi Logan, do you always asked such personal questions? Oh OK, I’m 40 years young. I started rowing when I was 19 years old, which by rowing standards is deemed a ‘late starter’.

Prior to that I was into most sports during my school years, something I would highly recommend to everyone at school; try a smattering of sports and activities. Even if you would prefer to be in the library or doing art or singing, by all means do whatever is your passion but I still recommend getting out there and having a go at a variety of sports as well. Whether you become competitive or not in some ways is irrelevant. The point is that exercise is tremendously good for your physical and mental wellbeing. It will allow you to perform better in other areas of your life.

Hey Rob
What is the best time you have ever had rowing?
From Amy
Hey Amy, nice question but difficult one to answer. Lots of good times. I suppose the best times were when the big challenges in the sport were overcome. Sometimes to the on-looker they didn’t seem so big but when doing them they felt very challenging and consequently very satisfying when completed. For example, the first time I won a national title as a novice (first year) rower I was thrilled; many other good feelings when small incremental improvements were made in my rowing technique or physical performance in testing; the friends I made in the sport; being selected to row for New Zealand for the first time; winning a world championship medal; going to the Olympics, etc. But I suppose one of the best times I had was upon arriving in Barbados having spent 41 days in a 7m plywood rowing boat, now that was cool!

Hi Rob
What kind of boat do you row?
From David
I have rowed many different types of boats from the family dinghy to eight-oared skiffs (with seven other people, of course!). My favourite boat is the single scull, very personal and very challenging. The trans-Atlantic boat is much bigger and heavier than a skiff so is less exciting on the flat water but much more interesting in big seas!

Kia ora Rob
What do you like to do in your spare time? What is your favourite movie? What is your favourite takeaway?
From Cara
Kia ora Cara, any spare time I have these days is spent with my family. My wife Rachel gave birth to two lovely boys, Finlay (we call him Finn) who is two and a half years old and Declan who is 6 months. Another challenge!

I have several favourite movies which include Pulp Fiction, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon (the latest one, Hero, is worth a look too), The Piano, TheGodfather trilogy, the list goes on.

I would like to digress a little here and say my favourite music at the moment is the album Riverhead by New Zealand band Crazy Horse. I find it really inspiring to hear a kiwi band perform so well. Makes you think anything is possible. Bic Runga is another who is totally inspirational, not to mention the Finn’s as well.

My favourite takeaway would have to be green fish curry from the local Thai. It’s a beauty, especially when it’s got the after burner fully operational!

Dear Rob
Do you still row? Are you training for the Commonwealth Games?
From Sarah
Much as I wish I was Sarah, afraid I’m not training for anything at the moment. However, my sister-in-law and I were thinking of trying to get an entry into next years Coast to Coast for a bit of fun. Watch this space.

Hi Rob
How much training do you do each week? What do you do for a job?
From Reece
Training at the moment is minimal, just a few runs a week to feel good and for good health. I am working with a mixed crew for next years Atlantic Rowing Race to start November 2005. We have to raise a heap of funding for these two to get to the start so it’s very time consuming. I also help organise an event called The Great Race (www.thegreatrace.co.nz) and am planning a rowing race across the Tasman Sea called the Bridge to Bridge Rowing Challenge (www.bridgetobridge.co.nz). I am also a professional speaker for coroporates and a variety of associations and organisations.

Hi Rob
What made you get started rowing?
From Morgan
A friend of mine asked if I was keen to have a crack and I couldn’t come up with a decent reason why not. I was 19 years old, played rugby at the time and was getting a bit sick of the thugs putting the boot in at the bottom of a ruck so off I went to the rowing club and never looked back.

Dear Rob
Do you do any other sports?
From Courtney
I love running in the bush, have done a bit of cycling and played volleyball for NZ but currently am “in between” sports. Perhaps I should consider chess!

Hello Rob
What was it like rowing across the Atlantic? Did you win prize money? Are you going to do it again?
From Blair
Exhausting! We rowed a minimum of 12 hours a day, as shifts of 2 hours on 2 hours off all day and all night for 41 days. I lost 14kg in weight in those 6 weeks even though I was stuffing my face with food and chocolate.

There was no prize money at the end of the race. Prince Andrew came out from England for the presentation ceremony and gave us a piece of wood with a ceramic turtle on it. He also gave us a trophy. We then returned to New Zealand to find we were in debt! But we didn’t do it for prize money. It was the adventure that motivated us.

Hi Rob
What advice do you have for young people wanting to achieve in rowing?
From Ed
Like I said earlier, do a range of sports before committing totally to any one sport. In other words give rowing a crack at school and if you enjoy it then learn how to row technically well, from there your fitness will develop. If you can, find a good coach who will teach you good technique but don’t rely on that person too much. The motivation and desire has to come from within. To learn how to row correctly is too important to leave it totally in someone else’s hands. As you get older it is just a case of sticking at it. Unfortunately if you want to be good at anything you have got to put the effort in and be consistent. There is nothing glamorous about the training side of any sport but it can be fun. The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.

Page created December 2004