ROBBIE MANSON HAS BEEN A NATIONAL ROWING TEAM REPRESENTATIVE FOR NEW ZEALAND SINCE 2010.
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WHAT MADE YOU CHOOSE YOUR SPORT?
My Parents both rowed. In 2005 my younger brother had just started rowing so I decided to give it a go. My main motivation was to get fit and get abs.
WHAT’S BEEN YOUR MOST MEMORABLE PERFORMANCE, AND WHY?
Setting the World's Best time in the single in 2017. It was one of those races where everything just seemed to click and in some ways felt effortless. It was my first international regatta in the single.
WHAT’S BEEN YOUR TOUGHEST CHALLENGE YOU’VE HAD TO FACE IN YOUR SPORT, AND WHAT DID IT TEACH YOU?
There isn't one moment necessarily, but every time things don't go to plan it's tough.
Covid was one of those times and one of the factors that lead to my retiring in 2020. The learning from that is that there is a life outside of rowing and I tried a lot of different things, from working with horses to coaching. Ultimately the coaching led me back to rowing but I feel as though I have a slightly different perspective now. I feel that it's helped me appreciate and enjoy the sport a lot more.
WHAT MOTIVATES YOU? WHAT KEEPS YOU GETTING UP EVERY MORNING?
The underlying motivation is to be as fast as possible. My current focus is more on the process of doing things well day to day and enjoying it.
WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR YOUNGER ATHLETES ENTERING THE SPORT ASPIRING GREATNESS ON THE WORLD STAGE?
It's important to work hard but it's more important to enjoy what you're doing.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO OUTSIDE OF YOUR SPORT? INTERESTS? CAREER?
Outside of Rowing, I have been doing some coaching and Personal Training over the past few years and I am currently coaching online. Other than that I love a good coffee and breaking out the budgie smugglers to go to the beach in summer.
