Olympic Rower Shows “Oarsome” Technique at Melville Aquatic Fitness Centre

The Melville local was invited to run a rowing machine session as part of the City of Melville’s Lifestyle Services Technique Week, from 26 February to 4 March. Held at the aquatic fitness centre as well as Melville and Leeming recreation centres, the week gave members a chance to take part in a series of free exercise technique sessions run by professional health club instructors and personal trainers.

Mayor Katherine Jackson said the aim of Technique Week was to enhance exercise safety and effectiveness while reducing the risk of injuries. ”Sessions ran for 30 minutes and instructors took members through a series of exercises showing correct technique, posture, breathing and muscle activation,” she said.

McGowan, who was part of the men’s coxless fours team that came fourth at the 2004 Athens Olympics, gave a demonstration of how to use a rowing machine, offered tips to members and answered questions. He said the rowing machine was a very demanding piece of gym equipment. ”Rowing uses most of the muscles in your body and if you don’t have the correct technique, it really shows,” McGowan said.

He was joined at the technique session by fellow rower Ben Cureton who won silver in the lightweight coxless fours in Athens. Both trained at Melville Aquatic Fitness Centre in the lead up to the Games. “The centre has some of the best recovery facilities in Perth and we used these extensively,” McGowan said. “Now a lot of other rowers have started coming down to use the facilities and take part in the fitness programs.”

McGowan now competes in the coxless eights and is in training for the 2008 Beijing Olympics where the Australian team will be one of the favourites to win.