Ros Lawrence: Women’s Extreme Kayak World Champion 2012, 2nd in the World Cup rankings 2014 – and heading for Rio.
Growing up in the village of Old Bonalbo, what do you do to entertain yourself? Training for the sport of Canoe Slalom might not be the most obvious choice but that was the answer for Rosalyn Lawrence, and for her sisters Jackui and Kate. Kate, now an environmental scientist, charts Ros’s career from a tiny country town to the world stage.
Ros Lawrence got hooked on canoeing as a small child – and I should know because I was there. She was so little that she would sit up the front of a double canoe, sharing a seat with me while our father paddled us around. Says Ros: “The best aspects of the sport have always been getting close to nature and spending time with family and friends.”
Racing at world class events is a long way from childhood memories of family canoe trips down the Clarence River and early training sessions on local creeks, rivers and the family’s farm dam but it was the beginning of a journey that has led to an impressive collection of international results, including World Cup Champion in the Women’s C1 slalom event in 2009, 2011 and 2012, Women’s C1 Wildwater Sprint World Champion in 2011, Women’s C1 slalom under 23 World Champion in 2012 and Women’s Extreme Kayak World Champion in 2012.
So what leads a kid from small town NSW to excel on the world stage? Growing up in the country on a beef cattle property, attending the local school, camping and canoeing trips with family and friends, and a high school canoeing program that emphasised expeditions as well as competitions – these experiences developed Ros’s sense of adventure, problem-solving, versatility, resourcefulness and perseverance. (A healthy dose of competitiveness with her sisters may have spurred her on too! Ed…)
Ros Lawrence in action
Such traits are valuable in the canoe slalom world, where Ros hurls herself down rapids and negotiates her way through slalom ‘gates’ hanging above the water. The unpredictable nature of the rapids mean a small error can be the difference between a medal and disappointment. Technical decisions carefully calculated from the river bank are often altered in an instant as she reacts to changing water features and conditions. Off the water, Ros’s traits are just as valuable. Travelling for up to five months a year to train and race requires adaptability, creativity and thrift to be constantly on the move, make the most of every training opportunity and survive on a sporadic cash flow. “During the Australian domestic season I live in the Penrith area, close to the national training centre. Each year before I start travelling I pack up all my belongings and drive them home to my parents’ house in northern NSW,” Ros says. “When I return I spend a little time with my family before driving everything back to Penrith and finding somewhere new to live. It’s an exhausting process, but much cheaper than paying for four to six months rent while I’m away.”
The entry sign to Old Bonalbo could be due for an update…
For Ros, the dynamic nature of the sport is all part of the appeal. “I’ve been paddling since I was two years old, and yet every day there is something surprising, something new to learn. I love the way people’s personalities show in their paddling. Everybody has a different style.”
This year, Ros’s style has won her gold, silver and bronze in C1 at three slalom World Cup races, earning her an overall World Cup ranking of 2nd. The season finished last month with the 2014 Canoe Slalom World Championships in Deep Creek, U.S.A., where she placed 5th in the C1 final and 21st in the K1 semi-final. These results are a great achievement, but now Ros has her sights firmly set on next year’s World Championships in London as well as the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. And if smiles can win races, Ros will be unbeatable.
To keep up with Ros’s adventures, check out her facebook page: Rosalyn Lawrence – sportsperson, and blogs: https://www.roslawrence.com and https://www.sydneyharbourkayaks.com.au/pblogs/ros-lawrence-blog
Ros is grateful for the support of her current sponsors: Sydney Harbour Kayaks, Sportscene and MS Composite, as well as supporters of her 2013 Sportaroo campaign, including Go Sea Kayak Byron Bay and Clarence River Canoes.
