Tuakau’s international rower
Athletes are often lucky enough to travel around the world as their sporting careers generally rely on international endeavours.
For Tuakau’s Ben Tyson, the prospect of leaving the country for the first time has come as a surprise after he was selected to compete in the 2017 World Rowing Under 23 Championships, which will be held in Bulgaria in July.
Tyson is a coxswain and also a coach.
During one of his teaching sessions he was approached by the New Zealand men’s head coach who suggested that he nominate himself for the under 23 championships.
Two months later he had a trial, and shortly after that, New Zealand Rowing rung Tyson expressing their desire to have him on the team.
‘‘I was at the University Rowing Championship,’’ said Tyson.
‘‘I just got off the water and it was raining and cold - I couldn’t stop shaking [after the phone call].’’
That call was three weeks ago, and in that time Tyson has started his 11-week training regime and has even made the move to Cambridge in order to be closer to Lake Karapiro.
The 19-year-old civil engineering student wasn’t always too fond of the sport, in fact, he didn’t even know what rowing was until he was introduced to it in 2011.
‘‘I hadn’t really heard of the sport until my best mate asked me,’’ said Tyson.
‘‘(He) asked me if I wanted to row at the Mercer Rowing Club. My parents were sort of like, ‘wait till you have your interview at Sacred Heart [College] and see what happens there’.’’ And so he did. Since then, Tyson has competed in four Maadi Cups.
‘‘I’d have to say [the best thing about rowing is] just being able to row on Lake Karapiro and being alongside Olympians that you look up to - now you’re training alongside them. Some days are just absolute gold on the water, there’s just no better place to be sometimes.’’
Tyson will be flying to Bulgaria on July 9 where they will carry on training until racing starts on July 19. Although he is nervous, Tyson said he was excited for the adventure because it was a new experience.