Introducing our new Head of Rowing

Wimbledon High is happy to welcome Olympian silver medalist Gillian Lindsay as our new Head of Rowing.

Gillian began rowing at the age of 13 at school and quickly became hooked. By the age of 14 she was national champion and by 18, was invited to train with the senior GB International team. That same year she was selected to race at the Barcelona Olympic Games where she finished 8th. After this early taste of Olympic rowing, Gillian trained for a further 8 years, and was part of the women’s crew making GB history, winning silver.

Still an active rower, in 2015/16 she and her crew mates won the Head of the Charles, America’s most famous long distance time trial race. In the summer season, Ms Lindsay works as an expert rowing commentator for British Eurosport.

What advice does Ms Lindsay give to our young rowers – who are starting to row at the same age she did? “Don’t worry if rowing doesn’t come easy,” she says. “There is a high success rate for typically ‘non sporty’ kids in rowing, who go on to become national champions. You’re in it for the long haul and it will take a couple of years, but working in a team towards a goal and as a squad is one of the most rewarding aspects. You don’t get better at the things you give up on!”

“The sport never leaves you and keeps you wanting to come back for more,” adds Ms Lindsay: “The experience of winning keeps you striving for more. You have to train your body to move in a certain way but that’s what makes it such a unique sport - and motivating.”

Ms Lindsay stresses that working together is important - not only as a team but with fellow rowers from other schools as well. We are lucky enough to have use of the GDST boat house at one of the most prestigious locations on the Thames, close to Putney Bridge. One of this year’s main goals is to be on the water more and back it up with land training in our fitness suite. Furthermore, Ms Lindsay hopes to work together with our partner schools to get as many girls on the river at the same time as possible, thus enhancing the rowing community.

Ms Lindsay concludes: “I’m excited to be working with the WHS rowers and hope to make lots of positive and successful changes with immediate effect!”