Paul Rowe – Haberfield Rower and winner of the Lightweight Fours at Intervarsity (for SUBC) in 1968 died this week after a long illness. Below are a few worlds form his friend Phil Sharp , who rowed with Paul many times starting in that 1968 four.
PAUL FRANCIS ROWE 22.2.1949 – 25.7.2015 Paul was an outstanding sportsman having rowed internationally and coached at Commonwealth (Games) Regatta, World Championships and Olympic Games. More importantly he was a good husband and father and a great friend to many. Raised in Young, I think he got his panache for life dodging the steam trains on the bridge over the river. He was educated at St Josephs College, Hunters Hill. I first met Paul at St John’s College at Sydney University in 1965. In 1968 he became interested in rowing – the start of a stellar career – winning the intervarsity lightweight fours, his first race. Coached by Roger Moore and Dr John Matheson; John Boultbee (a future Secretary General of the International Rowing Federation and Director of the Australian Institute of Sport) was the cox. Paul developed his sculling prowess rowing to work from Haberfield Rowing Club to Ryde where he made oars for Howard Croker. At Haberfield Rowing Club he won numerous National titles in sweep and sculling as a lightweight and heavyweight representing Australia in the lightweight sculls at the 1975 World Championship in Nottingham, UK. The weather conditions were not kind for him. Whilst in Europe he cycled the Tour de France route for something to do before working with Melchior Bürgin at Stämpfli the Swiss boat builders. Paul started coaching at St George Rowing Club in the early 1980’s. Tim McLaren, now a successful International coach, was an early protégée. Many followed. In 1985 Paul started with the AIS as a scholarship coach. He was the AIS sculling coach from 1990 to 1994. During his time at the AIS Paul coached Australian teams at the 1991, 1993 and 1994 World Championships. In 1992 he coached the Australia women’s double scull at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games. Paul is survived by his wife Lizzie, children Kate, Jane, Maud and Jack, and grandchildren. We have lost a good friend.
Philip Sharp
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