Tough row to hoe, but great result

The Illawarra contingent for the Australian National Indoor Rowing Championships. The group brought home a total of 18 medals from the event, with a number of competitors doing their personal bests.

ILLAWARRA’S contingent won an outstanding 18 medals at the Australian Indoor Rowing Championships on the weekend.

Fourteen men and women from Pioneer Fitness made the trip to Melbourne for the titles.

Bellambi’s Jill Hudson set a championship record in winning her four-minute rowing event before backing up to snare silver in the 2km event in the afternoon.

Illawarra’s other medal winners were: Jenny Bean (gold and silver), Alison Needham (gold and silver), Nicole Nicholson (silver, bronze), Merilyn Glenn (silver, bronze), Vivienne Gibson (silver, bronze), Kathy Griffiths (silver, bronze), Carlene Prior (silver), Natalie McKune, (bronze), Rachael Broome (bronze) and Ian Gibson (silver).

A highlight for the Illawarra group was a trifecta in the ladies 30-39 2km race.

Jenny Bean, Alison Needham and Rachael Broome filled the podium positions for the Illawarra.

“Seeing the girls standing on the rostrum being presented with their medals was very emotional for me,” Pioneer Fitness owner and team coach Ian Gibson said.

“The training has been hard and at times they have all pushed the pain barrier. I didn’t enjoy putting them through the discomfort during some of the training – it paid off though, as they all achieved personal bests.”

A group of 20, including the mothers and children of competitors made the trip to Melbourne for the titles.

“The organisers were so impressed with the enthusiasm shown by my clients they have given me a rowing machine,” Gibson said.

“It’s worth $2500 and it means more people in my gym. Sponsorship from Transfield Services means three schools will benefit.”

Please e-mail pioneerfitness@bigpond.com for more information about indoor rowing.