Zoe Wiessner from Winmalee High School has won gold in the Under 15s 1000m single scull at the NSW Combined High Schools Rowing Competition.
Zoe, 13, came first in her race at the Sydney International Regatta Centre on February 12. After a swimming injury to her knee two years ago, Zoe picked up rowing as another way to stay athletic. Now, she's winning trophies.
"I absolutely love it. I don't think I could go back to anything else," said Zoe.
While she was surprised by the win, Zoe has been training three days a week ever since she started the sport.
"We do HIIT (high intensity interval training) on Monday afternoons after 4pm for about an hour-and-a -half," said Zoe. "Then on Wednesday afternoons we do a session downriver from 4pm till 7pm. On Saturdays we have two sessions, one from 6.30am until 10am. After a break, we go out again until 1pm. Then I help out with 'Learn to Row'."
"We were so thrilled earlier in the year when we first found out that she was going to be competing in the Regatta," said Voula Facas, the Principal of Winmalee High School. "We're just super proud that she's one of our students."
This trophy is only the beginning of Zoe's rowing goals.
"I've never rowed the Head of the River competition coming up in a few months," she said. "I'd love to place in that, to be Schoolgirl of the River."