Abbey prepares for her last Maadi
Old Maadi hand Abbey Roberts says her last competition is likely to be a bittersweet experience.
It is still dark at 5.30 in the morning.
The sun has yet to make its way over the horizon and the nippy breeze indicates summer has officially ended.
While most of us are sound asleep, young rowers from all over New Zealand are up and on the water, preparing for the pinnacle event of their level – the Maadi Cup.
Abbey Roberts is one of those dedicated rowers competing at this year’s NZ Secondary School Rowing Champs.
The Year 13, Cambridge High School student will row in the U18 single and double scull events held next week at Lake Karapiro.
Abbey has been rowing since she started high school, as a fresh-faced Year 9. That sets her apart.
“Three of us have continued from Year 9 onwards, most of the people have dropped out.”
Because rowing is not for the faint-hearted.
By 5.30am Abbey is ready to train either on the water or off. On-water consists of repetitive drills and practice on the lake, while off-water training includes individual ergs (rowing machine exercises) and lots of running.
From there, it is a quick dash to get ready for school. After a full day of classes there is a short break before an evening session on the water. It is close to 8pm before she gets home, where it is another regime: dinner, homework, shower, bed.
She was inspired to row after watching the World Rowing Champs held at Lake Karapiro in 2010.
“It really got me interested. A few of my friends said they wanted to do it too, so I thought I’d give it a go as well.
“I really enjoyed doing it, so I decided to continue.”
At the moment, she and 51 other rowers from Cambridge High School are training five days a week, sometimes twice a day, leading into the competition.
Cambridge schools may have a slight advantage leading into the competition as Lake Karapiro, is their training ground.
“We’re used to the weather, the winds and the water conditions.”
Although conditions were not the best at the North Island Secondary Schools rowing competition recently, Abbey is hoping for better conditions and improved results (she placed 3rd in U18 girls double sculls and 5th in U18 single scull heat).
Once it is all over, it will be a bittersweet moment for Abbey.
“I’ll be relieved that I can have some time but also, I’ll be real sad because the four years have finished. But also real happy because of all the achievements over the years and the friends I’ve made.”
When asked what three things you need to be a rower, Abbey quickly listed commitment, passion, and sportsmanship.
“You have to enjoy it otherwise there’s no point in doing it.
“It’s a real team sport, you have to be real close with your crew and get along with them otherwise it’s not going to work on the boat.”
