World Cup medal winning Australian rower Hamish Parry encouraged to row by parents

World Cup medal winning Australian rower Hamish Parry has his parents to thank for giving him the daring to try something different in sport.

World Cup medal winning Australian rower Hamish Parry has his parents to thank for giving him the daring to try something different in sport.

When the Toowong Rowing Club athlete arrived at St Joseph’s Gregory Terrace as a year 8 student from Our lady of Lourdes, he left his comfort zone and tried rowing after being urged to give it a go by his mum and dad.

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“Rowing seemed unusual, so I gave it a go,’’ Parry said.

“But I seemed to be okay as soon as we started, so I stuck with it.

“I enjoyed that as a smaller guy.

“I could still be competitive and even beat some of the bigger guys at high school.’’

Toowong Rowing Club’s Hamish Parry. Copyright is Rowing Australia.

Parry said he instantly enjoyed the “sheer competitiveness’’ of rowing.

“It was great developing the foundations of an athlete mentality, in that it was a structured program, and seeing improvements as a result of getting fitter and technically better,’’ he said.

“These days I enjoy pretty much the same thing.

“I am a part of a great squad in Canberra, so it’s a great environment to smash each other on the water, and be mates off the water. ‘’

Parry, who is competing with Leon Chambers in the Lightweight Men’s Double Scull this week, claimed bronze late last month at the World Cup No. 2 regatta in Poland.

It was Australia’s first bronze medal in the boat class at a World Rowing Cup since 2014.

He will next race on July 12 at the World Cup No.2 regatta.

PARRY’S FIERCE DESIRE FIRES HIM TO SUCCESS

Parry, who was raised in Calamvale, hopes continued good performances will lead to selection on the Australian team for the world rowing championships to be staged starting August 25.

From there, does he dare think of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

“I’ve certainly dreamt of it, but still don’t know what that will look or feel like,’’ Parry said.

“I’m far more practised at not getting carried away with fantasies as I used to be. Being grounded and working in the here and now is as much as you can do to make your dreams come true.’’