Welcome to this week’s Team Thursday where we introduce one of our awesome rowers each week and this week it’s our Ladies crew and committee chairperson, Laura Whelton! Thanks Laura!
- How long have you been rowing? Hi I'm Laura. I have been rowing for 13 years this year. I row with the Fossa Ladies, cox adults and minors and I am chairperson of Fossa RC. I am also a club delegate on the Killarney Regatta Committee.
- What’s your lifestyle? I work a 9 to 5, so the training times really suit me as we train in the evenings and weekend mornings.
- What’s your favourite boat? My favourite boat is the Killarney 6. I have coxed two 'Ocean to City' 20-nautical mile races in a 6 and even oarspeople who don't know the history of the Killarney 6 admire what a beautiful boat she is, she's a lady! When she gets moving she might as well be flying through the water. Recently I'm also enjoying our FISA boats.
- What are you excited about for rowing this year/what are your goals? This year I'm excited to meet any new members that join, for the Killarney Regatta, the ICRF All Irelands in Bantry and to hone in on my sliding as we are now part of rowing Ireland. This year I would love for Fossa to win the Senior Ladies race at the Killarney regatta. The Killarney Regatta is definitely my favourite as I am so proud of our heritage, it's the oldest fixed seat regatta in the world! My great grandmother rowed the Killarney Regatta over 80 years ago and the grá for rowing has been passed down ever since.
- Favourite rowing memory? My favourite rowing memory is the Killarney Regatta 2016 novice women's race. My grandfather coxed two of his daughters and four of his granddaughters in the race. He always wanted to cox a family boat in the Killarney Regatta and I am so proud to have been a part of it. The same year we also got to hold oars outside the doors of the church for our trainer, Donal's, wedding, what an honour!
- Favourite thing about rowing? My favourite thing about rowing is the serenity that comes with being on the lake. It's the perfect way to clear your mind and I'm very grateful for the outlet. Rowing will give back to you what you can give to rowing.
- Favourite short rowing story? So many to choose from but my favourite rowing memory is probably when I was coxing a crew once and one of our rowers got a phonecall that his first grandchild was born. We were out in the middle of the lake with not an on looker in sight, but everyone put their oars in the air to celebrate, we were on top of the world in that moment.
- Greatest Achievement? My greatest achievement would probably be our rowing success in Flesk Valley last year, I came away from the day with 6 medals, three gold, a silver and two bronze. I still feel very lucky to have been a part of six amazing crews.
- Fun fact about you? Fun fact about me: I have only missed one Killarney Regatta since I was born and that was because I was playing football in Mayo that day!
