Rowing: Brothers blowing up a storm

Storm Uru would love to row with his brother although they are in different weight classes. Photo / Sarah Ivey

The idea of two brothers rowing side by side at the Olympics really floats Storm Uru's boat.

For the second year running, Storm, 22, from Ngai Tahu, is the world lightweight under-23 rowing title holder and up for the senior sportsman award at the Maori Sports Awards tonight in Rotorua.

After strong performances at two Australian competitions this year, his brother, Jade, 20 also a rower, is a finalist for the junior award.

Over the next few months, Storm is taking part in Rowing New Zealand's summer training programme at Lake Karapiro, pushing to qualify as part of the double lightweight crew, with Duncan Grant, for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

But competing with his sibling at the international event in the future would be special, Storm said.

"That would be the ultimate. I've raced with him quite a bit as well and there's nothing better than making your boat go faster with your brother."

While that's the dream, heavyweight Jade might have to drop 20kg for the brothers to race in the same class - even though Storm is a centimetre taller at 1.90cm, he's also the skinny brother and competes in the lightweight class for the under 72.5kg.

"It's quite good we're in different classes - he's creating his own wave," Storm said.

Jade's targets are a little further out than Storm's. He's targeting the 2010 world championships and the London Olympics two years later in the doubles and quad crews.

He's at home in Invercargill, taking a break from studies at Canterbury University. Over summer, he'll be working at his sponsors and training for the nationals at the end of February. But while he's following in Storm's wake, he doesn't want to be known as just "Storm's little brother". "I've got my own goals."

Ask him who is the quicker over water and he laughs.

"I'm stronger than him on the rowing machine, it'll be interesting to see, we haven't raced in a while. He's got the faster time overseas. We've always been competitive."

Jade and his parents will fly up to Rotorua today to meet up with Storm.

For mum Robbie, who has missed all the international competitions this year, tonight will finally be a chance for the family to celebrate together.

"The boys have always been tight.

"You just aspire for your kids to be close so they'll be there to support each other. Tonight we get to be there for them."

The Urus aren't the only sibling combination who will feature at the awards. World champion woodchoppers Karmyn Wynyard and Dion Lane will also be recognised, but the brothers are tearing up a sport where, traditionally, Maori don't participate in huge numbers.

New Zealand Rowing's high performance manager, Andrew Matheson, said only a small percentage of Maori took part in the sport. Maori weren't only diverted to ball sports but also waka ama.

"That's one of the growth sports we have around here, it's getting bigger and bigger. There's one or two that, because of their strength, could have potential."

"What we're doing is working with our schools and make sure they have the right talent in the sport.

"We're looking for the tall muscular group. Maori often fit nicely within that group."

Sports legends Buck Shelford, Waimarama Taumaunu and Wynton Rufer will all be inducted into the Maori Sports Hall of Fame.

King Tuheitia will become a patron of the Te Tohu Taakaro o Aotearoa Charitable Trust which runs the awards.

It's a position which was held for 16 years by his mother, Te Arikinui Dame Te Atairangikaahu, until her death last year.