Tebneff ready to row

The Southern Argus caught up with Goolwa Rowing Club member Kate Tebneff just before she made her way across to Perth, as she was selected for the South Australian Women’s Masters 8+ squad for the Masters National Championships. 

This will be Tebneff’s third time being part of the state eight, and she is feeling equal parts nervous and excited. 

“I’ve been part of the squad for six years now, and we’ve been lucky enough that I’ve been able to win the last two, and the girls won the year before that as well,” Tebneff said. 

“We do have a bit of a target on our back, which I think makes it more nerve-wracking.

“You know that other crews are working that much harder to try and be the ones that try to knock you off.”

She said the eight only differ by one to two athletes year to year, so they are a well-melded team, and Tebneff said it’s nice to be in the same boat as such strong, dedicated and talented women. 

The masters span over four days with many different events. 

“I’ve got five events total over the four days, which isn’t a huge amount, but it’s definitely going to be enough when you consider every event might have heats, semis and finals,” Tebneff said. 

“I’ve got a woman’s double, a couple of women’s quads, and I’ve got a mixed double with one of my friends from Tasmania.”

Something she is excited about is being able to catch up with people from other states. 

“The more you row, the more like-minded people you meet, so I’ve got a lot of friends coming from interstate,” Tebneff said. 

Despite being the reigning champions for the past three years, Tebneff said it’s important not to think too far ahead. 

“The training’s gone well, we’re happy with where we’re sitting, and we just want to do well,” she said. 

“We’re looking forward to racing as well, and the competition is always tough, so hopefully our work will pay off.”

She’s been competing in the sport for 11 years now, and her success in it was foreshadowed when she was still in school. 

She went to Mount Compass Area School, and they had talent ID people assess students’ sporting abilities, and she was scouted to row. 

“As you know, being at Mount Compass, there’s no rowing there,” Tebneff said. 

“So we never explored it, and not having any rowing facilities on the Fleurieu meant that there wasn’t anything locally being advertised. 

“However, many years later, here I am rowing for the state.”

She encourages anyone who is even slightly interested in the sport to jump on board and get in touch with the club via Facebook. 

Tebneff is also extremely grateful for the support she has received from the Goolwa Rowing Club.

“Just that social camaraderie and the support and the excitement that they have for this event and racing in general has made me even more proud of the club,” Tebneff said.