Meridian Rata rower aims for Olympics 2012

Tuesday 29 November 2011

Summer 2011

As part of New Zealand’s national elite rowing squad, four-times world champion Hamish Bond has spent the winter at Europe’s World Cup rowing regattas building up to Olympic qualifying and world championship events.

Hamish Bond (left) and his pairs partner Eric Murray

Hamish – or ‘Bondy’ as he is known – is a member of the Southern Regional Performance Centre’s Meridian Ratas team and perhaps the ‘biggest gun’ of the Christchurch centre.

A long-time member of the Meridian Ratas, Bondy and his pairs partner Eric Murray are aiming for their second Olympics next year and are possibly NZ’s best prospect for a gold medal in London 2012.

Known in the sport for his friendly and laid-back approach, Hamish knows Twizel and Lake Ruataniwha very well, having raced there for almost 10 years. His most recent success at Lake Ruataniwha was a haul of medals at the 2011 national champs.

"It's a great rowing venue and has been very kind to me over the years with great results,” says Hamish.