27 Jan 2012
Indoor rowing record to newcomer
Originally from South Africa, Grobler now lives in the United States and, if you have not heard her name, it’s because Grobler’s rise in rowing has been exceptionally rapid. Grobler, 30, took a learn-to-row class starting out as a masters rower. In 2007 she started training seriously with the hopes of racing one day at the international level.
In 2009 Grobler raced in the first Rowing World Cup (Banyoles, Spain) picking up a silver medal and then went on to win the prestigious open single at Boston’s Head of the Charles in the US. Now she owns the World Record for lightweight women on the indoor rowing machine. Grobler knocked two seconds off the 10 year old record, set by American Lisa Schlenker.
Grobler talks to World Rowing about her record breaking erg piece and her world of rowing:
World Rowing: Do you use the ergo much in training?
Ursula Grobler: I have only rowed six times on the Concept2 erg since September.
World Rowing: When did you do your first 2000m test?
UG: About 3-4 years ago at the Seattle Ergomania I did 7:20. I remember getting up from that erg piece thinking, ‘wow, what have I been doing in training, because that was brutal. I’d better step it up!’
WR: What was your best time before your current 6:54 time?
UG: I did 6:55 but weighing a lot more.
WR: What did you weigh in at that day?
UG: I weighed 60.7kg (134lbs)
WR: Were you aiming to break the record when you started?
UG: I hadn't really paid attention to what the World Record was. I was focused on breaking my own record at a new weight.
WR: Tell me your 500m splits.
UG: 1:43 -1:44 splits.
WR: What was your stroke rate during the piece?
UG: I don’t remember, I was in so much pain.
WR: What did you feel like at the end?
UG: I was happy it was over. This erg hurts my ribs and messes up my timing at the catch and my coordination on the water.
WR: I understand you moved to Seattle in 2004. What took you to Spain to row last year?
UG: My coach is from Spain (Carlos Dinares). He organised the 2004 World Rowing Championships in Banyoles. He still has good friends there, so I was able to train in Banyoles. Teresa Mas Xaxars, who is also from Banyoles, was without a partner and we teamed up to race a few local races as well as the first World Cup in the LW Double. Being so new to the sport, it was a great way to jump-start my racing experience and train full time.
WR: You have gained top boat speed in a reasonably short time. What do attribute this to?
UG: I think I got really lucky. When I started seriously learning to row and train, it has all been with one coach who has gone through the whole process with me. Thus, day by day, we just build the foundations of what it means to move a boat. His patience and requirement to seek the perfect stroke, with my dedication, has gotten us this far, and we still have so much to work on.
WR: I understand that you are trying for the US team. Is that avenue now open to you?
UG: I have my citizenship papers in process. I'm excited to have the support of the USRowing coaches. My coach will build our Olympic boat from Seattle, from his basement with his own system.
WR: I understand that you are aiming for the 2012 Olympics. Are you aiming for the lightweight double?
UG: I'm aiming to be the fastest I can be in any boat. I believe the lightweight women’s double is a very competitive boat and that makes it special and more challenging. We have asked Jennifer Goldsack (LW2x, 2008 Olympic Games) to join us in building this boat from Seattle to London.
WR: Do you have any sporting/rowing people that inspire you?
UG: I'm inspired by the lightweight men’s double from New Zealand (World Champions Storm Uru and Peter Taylor), as well as the 2004 Athens Olympics men’s double from France. Mahe Drysdale's (NZL) entire racing and training demeanour is also inspiring!