NSW Australian Athletes - Cameron Girdlestone

Athlete Tracker: Cameron Girdlestone

With the Under 23 World Championships getting closer it comes as no surprise that things are hotting up with the last phases of the training cycle about to start. At possibly one of the most exciting stages of the campaign, this week I spoke to Cameron Girdlestone (Sydney University), a member of the Under 23 men’s lightweight four about how things are shaping up just before heading overseas. Having already made a Junior team, this is the first time that Cam has been on an Under 23 tour, and he tells us how it is different from Juniors and how it has been moving to Tassie. In doing so Cam demonstrates his love for the sport and his excitement in anticipating the racing, just as things are starting to fall into place.

Where are you training, in what squad and who with?

I have been selected in the Australian U23 Lightweight Coxless four training out of Huon Boat club Franklin which is about half an hour drive from Hobart On the Huon River. The squad is made up of the Under 23 Lightweight Men’s Quad of Darryn Purcell, Blair Tunevitch, Perry Ward, Hugh McLeod and the Udner 23 Lightweight Men’s Four including Jono Hookway, Tommy Bertrand, Max Sondemeyer and myself. Our Coach is John Dreisson.

You have already been in the Junior team, and then took a year off to study. How does it feel to be back on a national team?

Making this year’s Australian Under 23 team means a lot to me as last year I decided to finish my HSC studies. The Selection process this year was much tougher both mentally and physically especially for the U nder23 lightweight group as our selection process went right through till the last Sunday morning. This is probably the reason why this year’s selection means a lot to me.

How is the Under 23’s different from Juniors?

The difference I think between Juniors and Under 23’s is that step-up you have to make. The quality and depth of your competitors is greater which means that every bit of your training needs to be perfect, because if you’re not focusing on perfection someone else out there is.

How are you finding it training in Tassie with most of the other Under 23 lightweight men?

My Relocation to Tassie for training has worked out really well. I live with Darryn Purcell from the quad about 2min walk from central Hobart (really convenient) and everyone else is fairly close so getting to training works out well. Being in a squad has been really beneficial, each crew pushes each other on and of the water which is great because it brings a positive competitive nature to the squad which everyone can work of to succeed and reach their ultimate goal of a gold medal in Strathclyde.

How long until you go away and has training changed as a consequence?

We leave on July 14^th to embark on our overseas campaign. Last week we started our 3 week cycle to lead us up to our final camp in Barrington before we go. The workloads on the water are now focusing on moving the boat well with increases in rate. In our boat we have been focusing on dynamic movement of the catch and around the finish position as these are 2 important technical focuses to move a 4 fast.

How has fundraising gone, considering that you are not in your home state to draw upon NSW resources?

It has been a little bit tricky in working out ways to do some fundraising whilst being down here. I have made a light brochure which some information about each person with some action shots for some letters and things like that, but we are continuing to come up with ideas to help us that extra little bit.

What are the crew dynamics like?

The four of us get on really well together both on and of the water. We spend a lot of time together as we travel to rowing together, do weights together, ride together which all contribute to the good relationship each of us have developed. I feel that the crew dynamics we have developed has had a positive effect on the attitude we take on thew water during training.

So far what are the good/bad aspects of training in Tassie?

I have loved every bit about training in Tassie. I am training with a really good bunch of guys, I am really enjoying the training program we are working on. The only bad thing would probably be the cold. I have not yet seen or felt a temperature above 15 degrees yet, but I will let you know when I do.

What do you think your crews strengths are?

I believe the crew strengths that we have developed within our boat have been the strong crew dynamics; this has enabled us to work hard together. Push each other and at the end of the day, this is what is going to win us a gold medal. The strengths as a crew technically have been our ability to develop that perfect stroke and the focus we take to the water.

How are finding the climate in Tassie?

The weather for training down here is very different. The weather in the morning is mostly between 0- 3 degrees and a wind chill factor anywhere between 0 and -7 which I can tell you, is not pleasant at all. Warm up in the morning is very important, we usually do an ergo and a stretching session to make sure when you hit the water you are not freezing otherwise it will take you until you hit the shower after the row to get warm again, I am not joking.

How much of a role does weight play in things to worry about?

Being a lightweight and having to watch what you eat and watch your weight is a very important aspect in training. I have gone of the motto that you diet should have as much attention your training does.

How have you found the transition from sculling to sweep?

The transition for me from sculling to sweep has been fine. I really enjoy doing both but with doing a lot of sweep at school has helped me in a way to fine tune my sweep stoke.

How competitive is the group? Is that good or bad?

The competitive nature in the groups is really good; it’s not over the top, it is just right. We are both very competitive on the water as we do the workload together which benefits both boasts speed, and in the gym there is always encouragement and positive talk from everyone which I think is great.

What are you doing throughout the days when you are not rowing?

Because of the temperature and weather down here we don’t hit the water until a bit before 7 because it is to dark and the fog is to low, so training usually takes up most of the morning until about 10-11, and then a quick turn around to weights in the afternoon or back to the water for a second row, but currently I have just been doing study for exams which I have to sit before I go away, not looking forward to it….

Do you get nervous? If so what calms you down the most?

When I think about the times when I have been really nervous I struggle to find them. I feel when race day comes around you are ready for it, it shouldn’t be a shock, “you should be ready for race day” and I think I have focused on that sort of mental approach which has worked really well for me.

Do you have a mantra or something that you repeat to yourself?

My positive mantra would probably be to always be thinking positive, don’t look back, always look forward to the up and coming events. When race day comes around, this is what you want; no negative aspects all positive.

What have you enjoyed the most in this campaign?

I have enjoyed everything about this campaign to date. The training is going really well, I have developed some really good friendships with the other guys and the experience of a different lifestyle, something which you are not use to has been a great experience.

What did you dread when you first embarked on the campaign that actually wasn’t as bad as you thought?

That would probably have to be the weather. But really it hasn’t been that bad. You do get use to it and you don’t worry about it.

What are you looking forward to the most?

I am really looking forward to the next couple of weeks as we begin to focus on moving the boat fast, we lift the intensity and the volume goes up which I love, “bring it on”

What are your short-term goals?

The short term goals at the moment is to fine tune my stoke to benefit our boats speed. The ultimate short term goal is to win a medal at the worlds with my crew mates that would be oarsome.

Is there anything that, in hindsight, you would do differently?

In looking back over the last few months of training I feel that everything I have done I have done to perfection or the best I can do and the hardest I can do it, whether it is on the water, in the gym or on the bike I am always pushing myself.

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