A LOCAL rower has tasted success at recent competitions claiming gold and bronze medals.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Hampton said these races were the first she had competed in, and she had only been rowing for about 18 months.<\/p>\n
\u201cBallarat was actually my first regatta, I didn\u2019t have much training before,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had no intention of going down there and finishing up the way I did, so it was pretty good for my first competition.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was very nervous, I didn\u2019t know what to expect.\u201d<\/p>\n
The multitalented athlete played elite basketball for several years before deciding she wanted a new challenge.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was watching the Paralympics one day when the rowing came on, and I thought oh this could be a good challenge,\u201d Hampton said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI got in contact with the Bendigo Rowing Club, found myself a coach down there and he was happy to take me on.\u201d<\/p>\n
It hasn\u2019t been all smooth sailing, said Hampton, but overall, she said she was happy with how the preparation and execution of her first races went.<\/p>\n
\u201cOnce we organised the seat it was really good. The Bendigo Rowing Club has been fantastic,\u201d Hampton said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere were a few challenges because I had to get my boat fixed up for the way I wanted to row because I\u2019m trying out as a PR2 [amputee] which is just arms and trunk, no legs. So, I had to have my seat tied down.\u201d<\/p>\n
With a couple of wins already on her achievement list Hampton now has her sights set on future Paralympics.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat\u2019s my next goal. Probably not the next one [Paris 2024], but we\u2019ll see how we go,\u201d said Hampton.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy coach has been fantastic, his name\u2019s Bill Barton. He\u2019s trained me for 18 months and he\u2019s just been awesome.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 […]<\/p>\n