Robert Allen: Pride of Ophir at Maadi
Robert Allen fell out of his boat in his first race – but then went on to post improved times.
Photo: Emmeline Sunnex
He was the lone wolf among nine girls but 16-year-old Robert Allen came to Maadi representing Dunstan High School and Ophir, a township of about 52 people.
On Monday his Maadi week started disastrously when he fell out of his boat 500m into a U17 single scull race after he lost his rhythm.
But the next day he won the first heat in the U16 single sculls, coming home in 8.17.23.
His next two races were successful and in the semi-final he placed fifth with an improved time of 7.58.82. He finished his Maadi experience this year by making the B Final, in which he placed sixth.
It was a good result as his school only confirmed two weeks before Maadi that he could attend.
“I was a last-minute job, [I] wasn’t supposed to be coming up. I was determined to come up and did a lot of work from the start of January [in the single scull event] until now.”
Robert’s love for rowing began when he was persuaded on the school bus to row with his mates. They told him they were short of someone for the quad.
“They decided I would be a good one so they hit me up. At the end of 2013, [I got] hooked into rowing and [have] never stopped since.”
When he was told he was in the Maadi squad he sold raffle cards and turned to all his 52 Ophir neighbours.
“I knocked on the doors of neighbours and locals in Ophir and made $400 within five days. The donations from people were amazing.”
When asked who inspires him in his rowing, Robert is quick to respond. “Riley Bruce from Wanaka [Mount Aspiring College] rowing under 17 single scull, just an amazing rower.”
Robert came to Maadi to prove that he could compete at the biggest national secondary schools sporting event in the southern hemisphere, and he did. On representing Ophir and his school at this year’s Maadi he simply said: “I love it, couldn’t ask for a better bunch of people.”
