Conlin MCCABE Interview

 Rising Star – December 2012

A fast five minutes with Canada’s Conlin McCabe

Not many 22-year-olds can call themselves Olympic medallists – but Canada’s Conlin McCabe can! This Canadian sensation launched his international rowing career at the 2006 World Rowing Junior Championships and since then he has been striving towards making big leaps in progress every season. He earned his first senior World Championship medal – a bronze – in 2011 as a vital member of Canada’s men’s eight. Less than 12 months later he stood on the medals podium at the 2012 Olympic Rowing Regatta, having earned silver in the same boat. World Rowing caught up with the talented McCabe to see what he had to say about life in and out of the boat.

I row because…  It’s my family tradition, and also my hometown of Brockville Ontario has an excellent rowing program.
 My goal in rowing is…  To become a World and Olympic Champion.
 My least favourite training session is…  The hardest one for me can be steady state sessions. If I’m not pulling as hard as I can I’m not going as fast as I can.
 My favourite training session is…  Racing in training! Anytime you line up boats and test yourself against your teammate. Any rate, distance or time.
 On the erg,  I listen to… House or El ectronic dance music. My favourite artist right now is Deadmau5 – I have to support that Canadian content!
My favourite boat to row is… My obsession is racing fast eights, but I love practicing in a good four.
I would love to row with…  A coxed pair with Mike Callahan in bow seat with Mike Spracklen coxing.
In 10 years’ time I will… be training for the 2024 Olympics!
My toughest race… The Olympic final, 6 really close boats made it all a blur of pain.
I’m motivated by… My teammates. Seeing them push hard inspires me to dig deeper into the hurt locker.
A typical day off training… Groceries, laundry, (reading) a book or two.
I get annoyed when… Pleasure craft or commercial boats wake us down during training.
My favourite post-training food is… Shake and Bake Bacon wrapped chicken
  My favourite TV programme is…   Trailer Park boys. Again sticking with the Canadian content, this show is hilarious.
  My favourite book is .   ..  The Giving Tree – I r ead it a lot as a little boy.
 Since the Olympics I…  Am back at the University of Washington in Seattle training with the Husky Crew.
 M y standout Olympic memory is…  Getting that medal around my neck. I was really proud on that podium.