Early rises part of life for Olympian Maddie Edmunds who is off to World Cup rowing regattas

Olympian Maddie Edmunds will enter a series of World Cup rowing regattas ahead of the world championships in Belgrade strengthened by a lifetime of rowing experiences including the Rio Olympic Games.

Maddie Edmunds, right, in action for Australia. Photo courtesy Rowing Australia

Olympian Maddie Edmunds has been a glutton for punishment over the years.

As a competitive swimmer before she was a rower, the Payne Road State School and St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School past student was always rising before day break to prepare for a stint in the water and later, as a rower, on the water.

“I think that I must have something wrong with me,’’ she said in reference to her decision to pick sports with early morning rises.

“As I was a swimmer before I became a rower, I have been doing early mornings since I can remember.

“I can say I probably am a bit more of a morning than Jacinta (sister and fellow Australian representative), especially if there is coffee.’’

But the sacrifices have paid off as she prepares to row for Australia at two World Cup single scull events in Austria (June 22) and Switzerland (July 13).

From there the Australian selectors will finalise the team for the world championships to be held in Belgrade during September.

Maddie Edmunds, right, in action. Photo courtesy of Rowing Australia

Edmunds will enter the World Cup events hardened from a “pretty disappointing experience’’ at the Rio Olympics.

“That being said, it was an experience that I have learnt a lot from,’’ Edmunds said.

“I wouldn’t change a thing about my experience in Rio looking back now. One of the biggest things was that it made me realise is that everything will continue as normal even if I don’t come home with an Olympic medal.

“It is every athlete’s dream to go to the Olympics and come home with a medal, but that doesn’t always happen. Rio made me realise that even though I didn’t come back with a medal, everyone loved me still the same.’’

And those with the biggest hugs were her parents and boyfriend.

“I would say that my parents (dad Ian is an Olympian) have been the biggest influences, especially in the beginning,’’ Edmunds said.

“And I wouldn’t be doing this sport still if I didn’t have the support of my long-term boyfriend.

“He has made me believe that I can do more than I thought I could, not only in my rowing life, but also my studies.’’

Beyond the World Championships, the lure of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics burns.

“I want to compete at Tokyo and come away feeling as though I have done my absolute best, I hope that means I come back with a medal.’’