Claudia MacDonald Rowing to Rotterdam

Hey I’m Claudia MacDonald, I’m from the small beach side town Raglan, but I attend Fraser High School in Hamilton, it was there through school where I first started rowing three years ago.

I currently compete for Hamilton Rowing Club and Fraser High School. This season I have gained two national titles in the Women's Senior Quad and Eight along with a silver medal in the Women's Senior Double. At Maadi Cup (NZSS Rowing Championships) I also won two bronze medals in the Under 18 Double and Under 18 Single.

Being selected in the Women's Quadruple Sculls to represent NZ on the Junior/Under 19 World rowing stage is an immense honor and privilege. I hope to bring my experience and knowledge back into this years quad and help to achieve the performance that both my family/friends and also my country can be proud of.

Being a part of one of New Zealand's most successful and competitive sports is such an honor. Especially being selected to compete for my second campaign. This goes to show how your hard work and dedication can pay off and I hope to make everyone back home proud as I race with the silver fern on my chest.

Unfortunately rowing is a sport which requires a lot of time, effort and money! Being a student and trying to balance academics and sports is a struggle, in a usual week I could be training close to 24 hours. My close friends, family, crew and coaches have been very supportive of me and are the reason I have been able to get this far. They have pushed and encouraged me along the way to strive for and chase down my dream. I am extremely gratefully for them and they have done. But to train and compete in Rotterdam at the World Champs is going to cost overall $10,000 which is a HUGE cost to my family as they are having to support me for a second campaign. My parents work very hard to support my dream of representing New Zealand.

So if you are able to help me fund my trip it would be very appreciated by both myself and my family. There is no donation too big or small. Even if you are unable to donate please feel free to share my page and get the word out!

Cheers, Claudia MacDonald