When I first started rowing, I did not in my wildest of dreams think of how far I would get with the sport. Since I joined the Royal Docks Rowing Club, through the London Youth Rowing Programme in 2006, I have enjoyed more success, fun and adventure than ever before.
Winning bronze medals at the World Rowing Championships in Eton 2006 and Munich 2007 has been the biggest achievement of my life so far, and qualifying Poland in the W A1x for next year’s Paralympic games in Beijing is just amazing for such a young athlete as myself.
I have learnt a lot about my capabilities and how far I can push myself. The facilities at London Regatta Centre and the Royal Albert Dock have contributed immensely to my success.
Of course I would not be able to get to that point without very good and patient coaching form Maurice Coughlan who endured a lot of my ‘strops’ and never hesitated to put a bit of pressure on me especially when I was unwilling to get into the pain zone!
Rowing has taken over my life, and I now feel like an athlete doing a degree in my free time! The amount of good will and friendly people I have encountered in the last two years is overwhelming, including all the support given to me at London Regatta Centre makes all the getting up at stupid o’clock more worthwhile.
At the moment I am looking forward to continuing my training in pursuit of my Paralympic dream. I hope to be able to continue my career until the London Games in 2012.
by Martyna Snopek – Royal Docks RC