Swanage gig rowers, Owen Martin, 31, and Paul Burton, 37, each left busy city-jobs behind in pursuit of a life by the sea.
The five-seat and one-seat rowers have a shared appreciation of how important gig rowing has been to their integration into a new community.
Owen says, “I’ve made lots of new friends since joining the club; I’m now surrounded by great people both at work and within the rowing community, so it’s a real win for me. I only moved to Swanage permanently three years ago and rowing has made me really feel like a local.”
Paul agrees, “I moved from the Midlands last October and now mix with people of all ages and walks of life from the rowing club. Gig rowing has been instrumental in helping me build a social circle in a new part of the country. ”
After a busy teaching career in Birmingham, Paul made the move to Swanage to switch careers and become an Outdoor Instructor. “I completed a fast track Outdoor Instructor Course in Swanage over the winter with Land & Wave and I just couldn’t imagine not living by the sea now. Once I secured a job, I then joined the local rowing club and things all seemed to slot into place. My rowing sessions are always the same evenings and mornings each week, so I can plan ahead. Land & Wave are very supportive in wanting me to focus on my own interests outside of work and get out rowing each week. My partner and my dog will often eat dinner overlooking Swanage Bay before I row, so it’s just a lovely part of my week now.”
Fellow bow-sider, Owen, also loves how gig rowing suits his lifestyle, “I love the Sea and the nature of the sport. I used to play rugby but find it a lot easier to recover from a regatta than I did a rugby match; it means I can be on top form for my job instructing kayaking, paddleboarding and coasteering. It’s an excellent balance of cardio and power work as well, so I don’t have to supplement my training with weights too much.”
For these two gig rowers, the sport is so much more than a hobby, “Being immersed in nature and the outdoors is just so good for my mind and body; to be able to both work and play outdoors brings me a sense of calm, balance and energy that I am so grateful for” says Paul. “It’s made me even more mindful about my responsibility to keep the environments I spend time in, thriving for future generations.”
To find out more about Swanage Sea Rowing Club visit www.swanagesearowingclub.org.uk.
If you want to find out how to change your career and become an Outdoor Instructor visit www.landandwave.co.uk
Two wonderful people doing great things for the outdoor industry and their local community.