Cam aims high with national rowing berth
Cameron Auton has been selected to represent Tasmania in rowing later this month.
March 13, 2024
After just two years in the sport, Springfield’s Cam Auton has just been selected in a Tasmanian team to contest the National Rowing Championships in Penrith, NSW.
Auton, 18, is excited about the challenge ahead when he joins with rowers from Hobart to form the U/21 Tasmanian Eight, lining up against the best in the country from March 18th-24 at the Sydney International Regatta Centre.
“I started rowing when I was 16 with some of my friends from school. I chose rowing because I wanted to try something new. Up until that point I had been playing basketball, but I wasn’t very good at it,” Auton laughs.
“I wanted to find a sport that utilised my height but where I could still be part of a team.
“To be selected is very exciting, a lot of my hard work over the past few years is starting to pay off. Hopefully, it can be one step towards bigger things.”
Auton rows with the Tamar Rowing Club in Launceston, training on-water three-four mornings per week.
His training routine also involves gym work and other conditioning – all the while working as a brewery assistant at Scottsdale’s Little Rivers.
“I really enjoy it - Jess, Chris and the team have been really supportive of my training and racing schedules which has been so helpful,” Auton said.
“The juggle of work and training is something I need to be actively thinking about all the time and the early mornings can be really exhausting if you’re not looking after your body properly.”
Auton spent the weekend preparing for nationals with his team, which consists of rowers from other clubs in Hobart, including Buckingham Rowing Club (BRC) and Tasmanian University Boat Club (TUBC).
“We have been coming together to train since the announcement which has been great,” Auton said.
“We’re feeling positive about our competitiveness in the championships, we are well situated and feeling good.”
Beyond this opportunity, Auton said his goal was to continue to develop himself and his skills.
“I have some great coaching support at a state level including Trevor Barrett, Jacob Crow and Andrew Palmer who I’m very lucky to have the opportunity to learn from,” he said.