Samoan rower debuts at World Champs

Samoa, an island nation of 200,000 people about 3,000km north of New Zealand, has been a member of FISA since 2000. The main form of competitive rowing in Samoa is in longboats which hold 40 – 50 rowers. The longboat championships are held twice annually with a very popular race against American Samoa also happening annually on Pago Pago harbour.

For Jowitt, as the sole Samoan flat-water rower, a single is the only option. Jowitt, who grew up in New Zealand, says he took up rowing ‘late’ but had a good level of fitness from a background in cycling. Jowitt knows no other Samoan rowers.

“Rugby is big in Samoa and it suits their physical attributes,” says Jowitt whose brother is a professional rugby player. “I hope that by representing Samoa in rowing that it will encourage more Samoans to give it a go as there are many naturally talented sportsmen in the islands.”

Jowitt is in his seventh year of rowing and his bid to represent Samoa in the men’s single sculls has brought him under the tutelage of Mahe Drysdale’s former club coach, John White. Jowitt has already had the opportunity to row with Drysdale as they both belong to the same club. Now Jowitt will race against Drysdale at the World Champs, but he can go into his race having learnt some handy hints from Drysdale.

“I’ve raced with Mahe a few times and he’s taught us just to keep pushing,” says Jowitt. “Nothing too technical really, just to never take your foot off the gas even if you’re behind.  Being in the boat with him lifts your confidence even further as you know you have a big engine with you that you try and match.”

Jowitt has also had the opportunity to row with single sculling Olympic Champion, Olaf Tufte, who Jowitt says is one of the rowers he admires. “But,” Jowitt adds, “for all round dominance over the last few years, you really can’t go past Mahe … and he’s an all round good guy too.”

“A friend and I did a training session with Olaf and Mahe a couple of years ago. Even though Olaf was on holiday, he still took the training session pretty seriously and he was determined to stamp his authority.  Then afterwards, what was going to be a cycle around Auckland to show him the sights turned into a race.”

Born in New Zealand’s biggest city, Auckland, Jowitt’s mother is from Samoa and Jowett says trips to Samoa have been frequent. “I’ve been to Samoa numerous times from a young age for holidays, catch up with family etc.,” says Jowitt.  “Since I’ve been rowing though, I haven’t had time to go back as I would usually travel there in summer which is in the middle of the rowing season here in New Zealand.”

Now, along with working full time as an architect, Jowitt is preparing to put Samoan rowing on the map. With a uniform that he has designed himself and the Samoan flag supplied to World Rowing Championship organisers by his mother, Jowitt is ready.

“This being the first time I’ve competed at the World Champs, it’s going to be a pretty special, if somewhat nerve- wracking experience,” says Jowitt. “Being on what I consider ''home'' water will make things a little easier and it will be good to have support close at hand.  It will be a steep learning curve, but I’m looking forward to taking it all in.”