Motivated to take on Masters

Aussie Dirk Stobbe and Rangitikei strongman Warren Mant know what it is like to win Masters indoor rowing events _ Richard Safey can't wait to get that same feeling.

But he's had to take the long route. Mant has set world records at the games, but hints that he's not in the same shape this coming games and will struggle for ``heroics'', while Stobbe is really going to give his age-group a stir along.

Here they tell their stories.

Dirk Stobbe is a 76-year-old Dutch-born Australian, and a retired high school teacher.

``I came to indoor rowing because my leg (previously broken) would not stand up to athletics training. My doctor suggested finding a sport with a low impact and indoor rowing fitted exactly.

``I started competing six years ago and was successful in winning my three events at the 2006 Pan Pacific Masters in Broadbeach.

``Then my wife became interested and we bought a Concept2 rower. We have competed at various Masters events and made a number of friends among the competitors.

``In 2008 we both won our events at the Australian championships in Melbourne, so no bragging rights for either of us. We have collected a number of medals at different events but my wife has had two ankle and foot operations, taking her out of the action.''

Stobbe has still carried on to win at the last two Australian Masters, ``the last one in the new (for me) age group of 75 plus''.

So why Wanganui?

``We thought this event at Wanganui would be interesting for me to compete in and for us to have a look around your beautiful area. We are strong supporters of this sport, especially for adults, because it is a complete body workout with a low impact as we have experienced ourselves.''

Wanganui man Richard Safey has ``come back from the dead''in this sport and is getting closer and closer to his first win. Because of what has happened to him, he has a very special feeling about the Wanganui Masters.

``Where as Olympic and Commonwealth Games are followed by Disability Games, there is one only New Zealand Masters Games which caters for both the functional and disabled competitors.

``I was involved in a motor vehicle accident back in 1992, and `left for dead'. I was in hospital for about three months and went through hours of physiotherapy to learn how to walk again, and build up lost strength.

``Towards the end of November 1992 Wanganui Hospital felt that I had built up enough strength to finish up with my physio, and the following year I was given, by my mother, a year's subscription to the YMCA Health and Fitness Centre. I continued going there for about five years. I found the indoor rowing machine great exercise equipment.''

He moved out of Wanganui for work, but when that fell through two years later he returned to the River City.

``In 2000 I found I was old enough to enter the 2001 ACC NZ Masters Games and compete in the lower age group of indoor rowing events. In 2001 I won two bronze medals for my age group.

``I compete every two years, when the games are held here in Wanganui. Being an ACC beneficiary I appreciated supporting the business that supports me financially, and in 2009 I was one of three who won the the ACC NZ Masters Games Life Award.

``Now that ACC is not involved with the NZ Masters Games, I enjoy competing to prove to others that results can be achieved if you train and practise hard enough.''

And in the 2011 games, Safey won four silver medals. He jokes that ``in 10 years' time I'll be successful in winning a gold (or before, if I'm fortunate enough).''

Safey says others can follow a similar path to him.

``I challenge other Wanganui people who may have, as a result of an accident, or been born with, a disability to get involved in the Masters Games.''

The name Warren Mant and indoor rowing have become a familiar combination in recent years, but this year, Ohakea's Mant is splitting his attention.

``This year I am playing touch, tennis, squash and indoor rowing. I have played tennis and squash ever since I was a kid.

``I played touch in the Masters Games about 14 years ago (it was held at the Gonville Domain). I have played with the same team (Gentlemen of Kaierau) every year in Wanganui and will do so again in 2013. This is my main motivation for being involved in the Masters as it is a great opportunity to catch up with old rugby mates.''

But what about that rowing?

``I only started rowing when I worked as a prison officer at Kaitoke in 1999-2001. There were a few keen indoor rowers there (Graham Taylor, John Baldwin, Nigel Ward, Trev Olney) and it was the thing to do.

``The training is very monotonous ... and hard! And I can only motivate myself to train for a couple of months before the games now. ``I will be competing in the 500m, 2000m and 5000m this time.

``I am not nearly as fit as I was in 2007 so there won't be any heroics in 2013 ... and I am a lot older as well!''

His reason for competing?

``It is very inspiring interacting with people in their 60s and above who have a lot more energy than most young people.''

Mant's national records, as listed on the New Zealand Rowing website or nzira.rippon.org.nz, are:

2005 2000m 5.58.6 (separate age group from below record).

2007 2000m 5.57.3.

2007 1000m 2.50.9.

2007 500m 1.18.7 (this was broken by Mahe Drysdale later in 2007 (1.18.4).

2007 300m 44.8s.

2007 Men's 500 relay (Graham Hepworth) 1.21.8

2007 Mixed 500 relay (Vicki Traas) 1.29.8.-->-->