Former Olympic rower and World Junior coach Richard Hamilton has been sharing his years of experience as a professional with the Bendigo Rowing Club.
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Hamilton has been working with the members and coaches to bring out the best of their ability on the water under a joint rowing development program which involves several rural clubs.
“I really enjoy giving back to the sport, especially as I think rural rowing clubs don’t receive enough support,” Hamilton said.
After years on the water as a rower and coach, Hamilton made a tree change and is now a farmer at Mitta Dairies at Tallangatta South.
Hamilton has been coming to training sessions at Lake Weeroona for the past year working with the club to refine technique and to educate on the sport more widely.
“There is an underlying importance for rowers and that’s fitness,” Hamilton said.
“There’s always been this big myth that you only need to train a couple times per week...but you won’t do very well when you compete against people who train six or seven times per week.”
BRC coach Scott Balmer said Hamilton provided the club with significant guidance.
“It’s good to have a different coach’s opinion, especially from someone with his expertise,” Balmer said.
“The rowers will learn different techniques and drills which I may not be able to think of.”
BRC member Mikhayla Oxley praised the feedback Hamilton provided on how each athlete performs and methods to improve.
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