This episode was made possible in part by:
Breakwater Realty Group, Concept2, Lake Washington Rowing Club and our Patrons

New Zealand Olympic gold medalist Eric Murray is known for dominating in the men’s pair with partner Hamish Bond. We know. You might be saying: “An Olympian? I thought you were all about celebrating the everyday rower!” We are. And we always will be. But we have to admit that when Eric reached out and asked to be on the podcast, we had a total fan moment. There was no doubt we’d invite him for a chat.

From humble beginnings as an awkward teenage athlete, Eric quickly discovered that being 6’5” translated into impressive erg splits. Coaches noticed too, and he soon found himself on the podium at U16 and U17 events. From there, it was a one way ticket to the national team, World Rowing Championships and the Olympics. Between 2007 and 2015, a commitment to be the very best brought Eric four indoor rowing world records, eight World Rowing Championships, and two Olympic gold medals.

Retired from flat water rowing since 2017, Eric is keeping himself very busy working with Concept2, the Asensei rowing app, and as a member of the World Rowing Indoor Rowing Commission. And if that wasn’t enough, he recently took a turn as a contestant on Dancing With The Stars.

Just a heads up: Eric does swear a bit in this episode ...

CONNECT WITH ERIC MURRAY
Facebook: /The-Kiwi-Pair-117001512258
Instagram: @rkiwipair_eric
Twitter: @kiwipair
YouTube

TIME STAMPS
00:00 - Intro and Welcome
03:25 - Rapid Fire Q&A
05:30 - Being an awkward teenage athlete; a terrible novice season; and working to win the U17 4x+
08:20 - Pushing kids too hard; finding balance between rowing and life to avoid burnout
10:33 - Rowing as an excuse to get time off school; making the decision to go where the best people are to train
12:25 - Growing into a 6’5” body; starting to find speed; and being thrown into a pair without any sweep experience
15:19 - Training in the 1x; a race vs. Mahe Dryesdale
17:03 - Early years on the national team rowing a 4; dead heat against the Americans and a controversial rerace; contemplating line-ups that could have been 
20:03 - Committing to the 2- with Hamish Bond
24:33 - Very thorough pre-race warms
28:15 - Communication in the boat; steering; and Hamish’s “diesel engine”
32:53 - Erg WRs: 2011 Hour & 2013 half-marathon; developing the perfect biomechanical movement
39:54 - Working with Concept2, Asensei App, World Rowing Indoor Rowing Assoc.
41:30 - Technique breakdown: forget about power application at the front end; peak force in the middle of the stroke
45:15 - Listener questions: Priority workouts for limited training schedule; Dancing with the Stars or golf? Favorite coxing command

[S3] Ep. 20 Mentions

CLUBS
Auckland Rowing Club
Avon Rowing Club
Waikato Rowing Club

COACHES
Noel Donaldson
Chris Nilsson
Mike Teti
Dick Tonks

COXSWAINS
Caleb Shepherd

EQUIPMENT
Concept2

EVENTS
2008 Beijing Olympics (results)
2012 London Olympics (results)
2016 Rio Olympics (results)
2028 Los Angeles Olympics
British Indoor Rowing Championship
North Island Club Championship
Royal Canadian Henley Regatta
World Rowing Cup
World Rowing Championship 

ORGANIZATIONS
Rowing New Zealand
World Rowing

PODCAST
Broken Oars Podcast

ROWERS
Hamish Bond
George Bridgewater
James Dallinger
Mahe Drysdale
Andy Triggs Hodge
Carl Meyer
Colin McCabe
Lindsay Dare Shoop
Nathan Twaddle

This episode was written, produced, hosted, and edited by Tara Morgan and Rachel Freedman. Tara provides additional audio engineering, and Rachel manages our website and social media. Our theme music is by the Free Harmonic Orchestra.