Interview Series - Graeme Weston

Teaming up with some very competitive ol’farts heading off to dedicated Master regattas all over Australia”

— Graeme Weston

GRAEME WESTON

Brian Morpeth sat down with Graeme Weston, a keen Masters Rower with the club. Graeme competes regularly at Club and Masters regattas. 

How did you start rowing?

Mt Albert Grammar

What was your first crew and who was in it?

Coxed a School boy 8 – light weights weren’t welcome in those days

Who was your 1st Coach

Kerry Ashby

Who at that time was your sporting hero?

TV was new. Rugby players did not grope each other after scoring. Sporting hero’s are a relatively new concept.

Did you do club rowing after you left Mount Albert Grammar?

Four of us from WHK Surf Club joined Whakatane Rowing Club as novices. Sid Murphy, Colin Simonsen and Eon Dowthwaite. The era just before Tom coached the NZ Eight.

Your job has taken you around the world and given you the opportunity to row in a number of overseas cities-tell us about this?

Pot hunting with Thames Tradesman ( London) was a great way to see the country and get amongst the locals. As a master in Melbourne and Brisbane. Teaming up with some very competitive ol’farts heading off to dedicated Master regattas all over Australia. Sydney Olympic Course is a great place to race.

Given you have rowed in a lot of different boats in masters class ––what is your favourite event?

Quad – you get to the finish earlier.

What was your BEST race?

Head of River, London. We had the Club’s lowest ranked boat – a Donoratico identical to the “Whakatane”. I was in awe of it, except it had been an 18 month challenge for us Senior B’s to row until this day. We finally learnt how to make the thing go. Started in position 70, finished 46 ahead of a fancied TTRC 8 who were in one of the new Carbocraft boats. That caused a stir.

What was your WORST race?

Novice 4 final, NZ Champs, Lake Waihola. Some big unco lads from Avon managed to stay in front. Didn’t help that a virus was still plaguing me.

Who would you most like to row in a boat with?

Blokes of similar ability, age and size

If you didn’t row what other sport would you have chosen?

Canoeing

What job do you do?

Piping Designer – build 3D computer models of industrial plants.

Where do you live now?

Ohope

Tell us a bit about your family?

My father was a hot cricket player – ball sports are not my thing. Haven’t had the “pleasures” of bringing up kids.