Passion in motion: Rowing student follows calling in and out of the water

Having always had a passion for anything involving the outdoors, particularly water, Sophie discovered her passion for rowing during her formative years.

“I remember waking up in the middle of the night to watch the rowers during the Games, and since then, I wanted to give it a go. I started rowing in my first year at Westlake Girls’ High School and loved it. I love the challenge it offers – every training session is hard, your hands get massive blisters and your body becomes so fatigued, but when you get the boat moving nicely, there’s not many better feelings!”

Sophie’s rowing career is marked by many achievements, including representing New Zealand at Junior and U23 World Championships. A notable highlight was competing in the prestigious Henley Regatta in the United Kingdom, which provided crucial preparation for the FISU Championships.

“It was amazing being able to compete, but travelling with close friends made the experience even more special. Arriving in London two weeks before the FISU Championships allowed us to acclimate to the new time zone and season, and winning the Championship Women’s Singles event at Women’s Henley was a significant confidence boost,” Sophie says.

Experiencing both excitement and nerves, she says the FISU Championships was a valuable event to compete in with the support of Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University’s Sport Travel Fund.

“Competing internationally against world-class athletes brought a new level of pressure, but it was a huge honour to be selected and a huge step forward in my rowing career and goals. Experiencing how to deal with that and still race well was a really valuable experience.”

The race venue, a two-kilometre purpose-built lake known for its exposure to wind, presented rough conditions exacerbated by a severe storm.

“The wind was so bad that flag poles were blowing over and the Dutch locals were saying they have never seen wind so bad!” Sophie says. “Even though it meant tough racing conditions, it was exciting to experience it.”

Sophie finished fourth in her event and says while she was initially disappointed, she values the lessons she learned over the final 300 metres where the rough conditions affected her performance.

“I was in second place for much of the race, but the challenging weather took its toll. Reflecting on this, I realised the insights gained are far more valuable for my future career than the results itself.”

In addition to her athletic pursuits, Sophie’s love for the outdoors has translated into her academic career, as she works towards a Bachelor of Science majoring in Environmental Science and minoring in Earth Science. Her commitment to addressing climate change drives her ambition to make a positive impact.

“I’ve learnt that while it is important to look at environmental challenges from a global view, local actions are equally crucial because something small is better than nothing at all. Even just picking up any rubbish you see when you’re out on a walk can contribute to environmental change.”

When it comes to academics, Sophie says she’s most proud of being able to get to this point in her degree while also pursuing her sport dream and working.

“I’m proud to have nearly completed my degree, as it’s taken a great deal of discipline and work. Massey’s extramural programmes have allowed me to study at my own pace, accommodating my training and competition schedule. Online study comes with its own challenges, particularly keeping yourself accountable, but the support from great professors, family and friends has been invaluable, and Massey has been flexible with deadlines and exams to help me manage my commitments.”

Looking ahead, Sophie says she’s preparing for the 70.3 Ironman World Championship in Taupō at the end of the year and considering further studies or career opportunities.

“I’m thinking about doing a postgraduate or master’s, but if a suitable internship or job arises that aligns with my sporting schedule, I’d go for it. Combining the role with my science background would be ideal. I have loved my education experience and would love to continue in a more practical way.”

When asked for an interesting fact about rowing, Sophie shares a common misconception about the sport.

“When I tell people I row, they are very quick to say I must have strong arms, but the thing is – if you’re doing it right, rowing should be all in your legs!”

Find out more about the Academy of Sport support programme for high-performance athletes studying at Massey here.