Rower eyes Paralympics

A LOCAL rower has tasted success at recent competitions claiming gold and bronze medals.

Para-athlete Kim Hampton took first place at the Ballarat Masters Regatta on Lake Wendouree in late April, and came third along with a new personal best at Rowing Victoria Masters State Championships at Lake Nagambie on 6 May.

Hampton said these races were the first she had competed in, and she had only been rowing for about 18 months.

“Ballarat was actually my first regatta, I didn’t have much training before,” she said.

“I had no intention of going down there and finishing up the way I did, so it was pretty good for my first competition.

“I was very nervous, I didn’t know what to expect.”

The multitalented athlete played elite basketball for several years before deciding she wanted a new challenge.

“I was watching the Paralympics one day when the rowing came on, and I thought oh this could be a good challenge,” Hampton said.

“I got in contact with the Bendigo Rowing Club, found myself a coach down there and he was happy to take me on.”

It hasn’t been all smooth sailing, said Hampton, but overall, she said she was happy with how the preparation and execution of her first races went.

“Once we organised the seat it was really good. The Bendigo Rowing Club has been fantastic,” Hampton said.

“There were a few challenges because I had to get my boat fixed up for the way I wanted to row because I’m trying out as a PR2 [amputee] which is just arms and trunk, no legs. So, I had to have my seat tied down.”

With a couple of wins already on her achievement list Hampton now has her sights set on future Paralympics.

“That’s my next goal. Probably not the next one [Paris 2024], but we’ll see how we go,” said Hampton.

“My coach has been fantastic, his name’s Bill Barton. He’s trained me for 18 months and he’s just been awesome.”