“Rowing was introduced to my school [in South Africa] at a very late stage,” says Grobler. “I was already so involved in other sports that I never got the chance to try it. When I moved to Seattle I was near Greenlake. They had a learn to row program that fit in my schedule and I was excited to finally try this sport that intrigued me from my school days.”
Grobler showed natural talent in the sport right away. When she suddenly lost her job, Grobler was able to focus on her rowing career and train full time. “I started working with Carlos Dinares who pushed my rowing into a new dimension.” Dinares, a former Spanish national team rower, saw Grobler’s apparent skill and guided her into competition.
Once she began working with Dinares, Grobler won Head of the Charles in the open women’s single, a silver in the lightweight double at the Banyoles Word Cup, a gold in Royal Canadian Henley champ single and a gold at the U.S. nationals in 2008.
Most recently, Grobler broke a world record for the women’s lightweight 2000 meter record for ages 19-29 on January 30th at Ergomania, a satellite regatta for the C.R.A.S.H.-Bs. “Carlos and I had a race plan and a goal split to break my personal record,” she said after the race. Having gone back and forth between racing open weight and lightweight, Grobler knew it would be more difficult to obtain a personal best in the lightweight category. “I was focused during the piece on executing the plan. I was just happy the piece was over!” Grobler finished in 6:54.7 and is now listed at the fastest lightweight female rower in the world.
After her win at Ergomania, Grobler heads to Boston, but this time she’ll race in the next age category. Since her birthday falls between the two indoor races, she will compete in the 30-39 lightweight category. The current record is held by Lisa Schlenker, also from the U.S., with a time of 6:56.7. Grober’s current score already beats Schlenker’s, so now its just about performing this weekend.
“Every phase of the year has its own challenges. I try to keep a fresh perspective every day, yet put my head down to work because there is so much training to be done. But the eye on the prize is definitely London 2012!”
Many will watch Grobler this Sunday to see if the Olympic hopeful can obtain two world records. To learn more about C.R.A.S.H.-Bs, click here.
By Liz Bernal
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