For three years, Simone Archer was up well before dawn to take her son Matthew to rowing. She would sit in the car and snooze or do some work online. Weekends were spent volunteering at. regattas, never imagining in a few short years she would be on the water herself, mastering a notoriously difficult sport with a group of like-minded women.
Fast-forward and Simone is now part of a group of females who beat the odds to become accomplished Masters Rowers. In November 2022, her team, the Flying Swans, travelled to Melbourne and won silver behind a group of hand-picked elite Australians in the 3.5km Melbourne Head Regatta.
The average age of the women is 54, and is made up of mums, career women, business owners and a grandmother-of-nine.
"There is nothing like having a group of supportive friends who love hanging out and learning together," says Simone, 58. "It has been so empowering to lift other people up and feel that support back from others too. You don't always get that in other areas of your life."
Getting a crew together was the wild dream of the only experienced rower, Fiona Trevelyan, who convinced a group of mums she had met while volunteering at their children’s regattas to try the sport for themselves. After a Learn to Row course at the North Shore Rowing Club, the Flying Swans were on their way.
“It was an ambitious idea – a group of middle-aged women taking on this dream really was a leap of faith,” says Fiona, 57.
But the risk has paid off , with the team agreeing the experience has been life-changing.
この記事は New Zealand Woman's Weekly の March 31, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は New Zealand Woman's Weekly の March 31, 2023 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
Sweet SUCCESS
Delicious twists on traditional favourites
Calzone CRAVING
Anything you can put on top of a pizza can go inside these air fryer Italian turnovers
Kai & kindness - ‘OUR RECIPE FOR A GOOD LIFE'
The foodie and her brother have dished up a cookbook full of comfort
Kia Ora Dame! 'I HAD A BIGGER PURPOSE'
It could have taken a toll on her, but Naida's phone greeting started a legacy
Dame Hinewehi's healing haka - 'IT'S GOING TO CHANGE LIVES'
Beating a world record is personal for the music therapy founder
Unbreakable Mamie - 'I'M READY TO FAMOUS!' BE
The TV star and model is excited about what the future holds
Below Deck detective - CAPTAIN LEE'S SEA CHANGE
The superyacht hero's family tragedy has led him to navigate scary waters
Swings & roundabouts - OWEN'S BIG KID PROJECT
Playtime's a whole lot more fun thanks to the radio host
Haunted by tragedy - KATE'S SHOCK LOSS
The star is still dealing with the death of her dad when she was aged four
Top-secret royal plan - BRINGING HARRY HOME
Disillusioned with life in the US, the prince is reaching out to friends in the UK