GEORGIE ROWE IS AN OLYMPIAN, WORLD CUP WINNER AND HAS BEEN A NATIONAL ROWING TEAM REPRESENTATIVE FOR AUSTRALIA SINCE 2018.
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WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE YOUR SPORT?
Originally, I come from a flat water kayaking and surf life-saving background. I have spent a lot of time in the ocean, training and competing and fell in love with surf boat rowing. The ergo was mainly a training tool for my crew and I but in late 2016 I competed in an indoor rowing competition where I did reasonably well. Within a week of the competition I had some very unexpected phone calls. One was from Ron Batt - Rowing Australia (participation and education manager) offering me a trip to Boston to compete at the CRASH-Bs. The other was from John Keogh, the head coach of the Womens National Training Centre who met me for a coffee at Collaroy Beach and I can honestly say he did not sugar coat if I chose to pursue rowing how hard it would be. My love for water sports, the capacity to push myself physically and mentally and be an elite athlete striving for the Olympics and Olympic medals was once a dream, and this was my opportunity to pursue it. So I did.
WHAT’S BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE PERFORMANCE, AND WHY?
We all love the races we have won, but World cup 3 at Lucern in 2022 was pretty special. Our 8 had a few changes with COVID and a lot of younger athletes in the boat post Tokyo so we had a lot of learnings throughout the season. This particular race it just completely clicked. We rowed through Canada through the middle 1km and kept moving to win the race. It was just such a sweet feeling, you could hear the bubbles under the hull of the boat, everyone was so in tune with each-other and the calling from the coxswain was bang on and we just moved. It still gives me goosebumps.
WHAT’S BEEN YOUR TOUGHEST CHALLENGE YOU’VE HAD TO FACE IN YOUR SPORT, AND WHAT DID IT TEACH YOU?
Making the Aus team in 2018 was certainly challenging. I tried to maintain working as a nurse full time and do 2-3 sessions per day.. they were early mornings about 415, and I wouldnt finish work until 10pm so I lost a lot of sleep throughout that period which I'm still catching up on.
I think my time in surf boat rowing helped give me perspective and almost learn how to lose with grace.. You can be the best crew on the beach and have been rowing great all day, but in the final get a bad alley or lane and you're done. My experiences with the unpredictable ocean has reiterated how important it is to control the controllables, sometimes mother nature has something else planned.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU? WHAT KEEPS YOU GETTING UP EVERY MORNING?
Motivation comes and goes, some days I feel incredible, other days I really struggle.
Rather than motivation I lean into what makes me feel good and what my purpose is at present. That being, to challenge myself every day to be the very best version of myself that I can be. Whether that is as an athlete, a nurse, a friend, a sister or an aunty, everyday provides an opportunity to do something for someone else which can completely change their outlook on life. I want to inspire and support my local communities and help others to achieve their greatest potential as well as my own.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUNGER ATHLETES ENTERING THE SPORT ASPIRING GREATNESS ON THE WORLD STAGE?
Get to know yourself.
Spend time getting acquainted with yourself, gain a better understanding of your strengths and your weaknesses and work on them. Self-reflection is a critical tool in an elite environment and the better you know yourself the better you can respond and adapt in high pressure environments.
Also, never forget where you came from and who helped you get there. My people and my community outside of rowing are so important to me. They keep me grounded and fill up my cup on days when I really need them. Nuture relationships that are important to you!
And be nice to your parents :) You wouldn't be who you are without them!
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO OUTSIDE OF YOUR SPORT? INTERESTS? CAREER?
I love being an Aunty. I am simply obsessed with all my nieces and nephews and would move mountains to spend any time with them. Recently I have been teaching my nephew to surf which fills my heart with a lot of joy.
Some of my interests include anything in and around the ocean, love to surf, swim, lie on the beach. I go to yoga as often as I can and throughout COVID like the rest of the population I had a fierce passion for golf and tennis. I enjoy a bush walk with the dog (Charlie) and try to go to a sauna once a week to decompress and relax.
On a Sunday morning you're pretty likely to find me post swim with a long black in hand and baby-cino for my nephew Oli at North Narrabeen. I also love reading non-fiction and drinking French earl grey tea and I have a serious addiction for linen sheets.
Career wise, I am a registered nurse currently looking for some local work in Penrith, but I am also studying an MBA and Master of Public Health. Not quite sure what long-term work looks like after Rowing, but I am passionate about health and making people's lives a little better.
