Sara Parfett
Rowing
Bio
Bio
How I Started
I originally started in swimming competing in national races, I was swimming until the age of 20, but I was involved in an accident that put me out for around nine months. I returned to swimming after to compete in national, but with my injuries, it became more and more difficult to train and compete and so in my second year of university I made the switch from Swimming to Rowing.I enjoyed the first sessions, especially being outside as opposed to in a swimming pool! The most challenging part of switching to Rowing was adjusting my core strength and back. Because of this change, I had to make baby steps to begin building my core and back strength. I actually ended up with a bad back as a result of it!
My Greatest Achievement
My greatest achievement is winning the Henley Royal Regatta, I was actually told I wouldn’t be able to win because I am a woman! I proved them wrong and won the most prestigious British rowing event on the calendar!I was selected for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in February 2021, this was difficult in the cold winter air as we perform outside on the water. I remember receiving the email and being relieved because they had named me as being in the boat, but receiving the email and knowing that I had been selected took a massive weight off my shoulders.
I was incredibly relaxed when I sat at the start line because I knew that I was an Olympian. Through all of the daily COVID testing, the selection processes and training I had made it and was ready to compete!