Rob Hamill

Describing Rob Hamill and the late Phil Stubbs’ incredible achievement in winning the Atlantic Rowing Race, the late Sir Peter Blake stated “An extraordinary mental and physical effort – something very, very special.”

Marathon rowing champion Rob Hamill has been a New Zealand International rowing representative for 16 years. Rob’s numerous rowing achievements include World Championship silver, Commonwealth gold and a world record on the indoor rowing machine.

Rob represented New Zealand at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics then teamed up with the late Phil Stubbs and captured headlines around the world winning the grueling Atlantic Rowing Race in 41 days 2 hours and 55 minutes – 8 days ahead of the opposition.

Rob then led the campaign to successfully defend the title in 2001.  He applied what had learnt from his previous campaigns and managed a team that repeated the feat in 2003.  He is currently organising the Bridge to Bridge Rowing Challenge, a trans-Tasman rowing race from Auckland to Sydney.

Rob’s presentation on the trials and tribulations of ocean rowing is inspirational and entertaining.  His life is about following a dream, decision making, commitment, team building, goal setting, planning, overcoming hardship against the odds, positive thinking and of course, winning.  And it doesn’t hurt that he may be just a little bit crazy too!

Rob leaves audience on a high.  His presentations challenge individuals to think about things differently, as he shares his belief that with passion, anything is possible.