Emma Twigg. Photo: Steve McArthur / www.photosport.nz
Rowing legend Emma Twigg still loves having oars in her hands and is not about to give up as "you're a long time retired".
Twigg added a World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals title to her illustrious career in Turkey on Monday.
The 38-year-old is one of New Zealand's most accomplished classic or flat water rowers having competed at five Olympics, winning gold and silver. She is also a multiple medal winner at World Championships.
However in recent years she has dabbled in coastal rowing and this year decided to make the beach sprint her focus as she contemplated her international future.
Winning the women's solo title in Turkey was a bit of a surprise for the Hawke's Bay athlete.
"This year was all about exploring this new discipline and where I stacked up and while I'd done it a couple of times before, as it's now an Olympic event I thought there may be another step," Twigg told RNZ.
Twigg will be 41 by the time Beach Sprint Rowing makes its debut at the LA 2028 Olympics, but at this stage she still has the desire.
"I guess I'm staring down the barrel of another three years (but) I'm enjoying it, I'm loving the challenge.
"I seem to be doing reasonably well in it and as long as that's the way, then sure it's (LA Olympics) a realistic thing."
The change from flat water to sea rowing has a number of rowers excited with a couple of veterans included in the New Zealand team that went to the World Beach Sprint Finals in Turkey.
A rowing beach sprint crew in action. Photo: CROSNIER JULIEN / AFP
The event includes a beach sprint followed by an out and back row and then another beach sprint.
"It's not for the faint-hearted, you can't control everything, but it's a hell of a lot of fun," Twigg said.
The sculler first represented New Zealand in 2003 and has been competing at the highest level ever since, although she has retired twice.
She likes the difference that coastal rowing brings to the game.
"It's apples and oranges even in the distances and the way the regatta is run (head-to-head knock-out competition).
"It's like the the kayak cross version of white water slalom."
So why is she still wanting to compete at the elite level as she closes in on her 40s?
"It's a question I ask myself every day and what it comes down to is that I just love what I do.
"I love being fit and active in a rowing boat and on water.
"This presents a different challenge to what I have done for years and years so I see it as an extension of my career."
Emma Twigg during the 2024 Paris Olympics. Photo: Steve McArthur / www.photosport.nz
Twigg also believes she has to give back to the sport that has dominated her life.
"I see myself as a role model and getting people into our sport and eyes on our sport.
"It's not necessarily competing at the very top, but while I'm still there, I figure you're a long time retired."
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