College Sport Media
  • Home
  • About
  • Love what we do?
  • Articles
    • Athletics/XC
    • Bike
    • Bowls
    • Boxing
    • Basketball
    • Cricket
    • Football
    • Golf
    • Hockey
    • Netball
    • Rowing
    • Rugby League
    • Rugby Union
    • Sailing
    • Softball
    • Swimming
    • Tennis
    • Volleyball
    • Water Polo
    • Weight Lifting
    • Other
  • Videos!
  • Advertise with CSM
  • History of National Events
  • NZ Schools Rugby
    • NZS 2017
    • NZS 2015
    • NZS 2014
    • NZS 2013
    • NZS 2012
    • NZS 2011
    • NZS 2010
    • NZS 2009
    • NZS 2008
    • NZS 2007
    • NZS 2006
    • NZS 2005
    • NZS 2004
    • NZS 2003
    • NZS 2002
    • NZS 2001
    • NZS 2000
    • NZS 1999
    • NZS 1998
    • NZS 1997
    • NZS 1996
    • NZS 1995
    • NZS 1994/95 Tour
    • NZS 1994
    • NZS 1993
    • NZS 1992
    • NZS 1991
    • NZS 1990
    • NZS 1989
    • NZS 1988
    • NZS 1987
    • NZS 1986
    • NZS 1985
    • NZS 1984/85 Tour
    • NZS 1984
    • NZS 1983
    • NZS 1982
    • NZS 1981
    • NZS 1980
    • NZS 1979
    • NZS 1978
    • NZ Schools Stats
  • Index of Articles
  • Game Changer
  • Partners
  • Youth Olympics 2018,2020
  • Emerging Talent
  • College Rugby Draws
  • Home
  • About
  • Love what we do?
  • Articles
    • Athletics/XC
    • Bike
    • Bowls
    • Boxing
    • Basketball
    • Cricket
    • Football
    • Golf
    • Hockey
    • Netball
    • Rowing
    • Rugby League
    • Rugby Union
    • Sailing
    • Softball
    • Swimming
    • Tennis
    • Volleyball
    • Water Polo
    • Weight Lifting
    • Other
  • Videos!
  • Advertise with CSM
  • History of National Events
  • NZ Schools Rugby
    • NZS 2017
    • NZS 2015
    • NZS 2014
    • NZS 2013
    • NZS 2012
    • NZS 2011
    • NZS 2010
    • NZS 2009
    • NZS 2008
    • NZS 2007
    • NZS 2006
    • NZS 2005
    • NZS 2004
    • NZS 2003
    • NZS 2002
    • NZS 2001
    • NZS 2000
    • NZS 1999
    • NZS 1998
    • NZS 1997
    • NZS 1996
    • NZS 1995
    • NZS 1994/95 Tour
    • NZS 1994
    • NZS 1993
    • NZS 1992
    • NZS 1991
    • NZS 1990
    • NZS 1989
    • NZS 1988
    • NZS 1987
    • NZS 1986
    • NZS 1985
    • NZS 1984/85 Tour
    • NZS 1984
    • NZS 1983
    • NZS 1982
    • NZS 1981
    • NZS 1980
    • NZS 1979
    • NZS 1978
    • NZ Schools Stats
  • Index of Articles
  • Game Changer
  • Partners
  • Youth Olympics 2018,2020
  • Emerging Talent
  • College Rugby Draws
Search by typing & pressing enter

YOUR CART

4/12/2017 Comments

Bradley Leydon – From Casual Paddler To Charlie Stapp Champion

Picture
“Elliott Jenkins was the guy to beat. He set the fastest times in the heats. I hadn’t raced him until the final, but I knew when I did I had to go full-tilt from the start and make him stress.” Bradley Leydon explains of his strategy before the Under-18 Singles sculls final at the Maadi Cup regatta.

Such an assertive strategy won Leydon the Charlie Stapp Trophy by nearly four seconds.

“I went as hard as I could over the first 250 and managed to get a good lead. He gained half a length at the 750, but I dug deep and held on. Elliott is a great rower. I am stoked with the result.” Leydon enthuses.

Later Leydon was at it again in the under-18 double sculls, claiming the bronze alongside Lochie Bain.

Such success seemed unlikely four years ago when a clueless Leydon joined the sport.

“I couldn’t tell you why I took up rowing. It was four years ago and I went down to the Otago Rowing Club looking for something to do. I am a border from Wakatipu so I guess I wanted to make some new friends and it’s grown from there.” Leydon says.

This leisurely approach didn’t last long. After a period of trial and error in the under-15 and 16 seasons, Leydon struck medals at Maadi in 2016.

“I won bronze in the Under-17 single and double sculls. I won the doubles with my mate Alex Timmins. It was then I thought I could take this seriously, even more so when I realised the top two single scullers from 2016 were leaving school.” Leydon reveals.

In order to become top dog himself, Leydon was forced to overhaul his entire technique.

“My coach Jock Jolly noticed a lot of flaws in my technique which were holding me back. He basically taught me how to row again. I competed for the Wakatipu Rowing Club in the lead up to Maadi just to get more time on the water.” Leydon admits.

Leydon won the South Island title and his performance at Maadi has earned him selection for the New Zealand Junior squad.

“I fly up to Cambridge on Friday for a four day camp. It’s going to be intense, but I can’t wait. I would sit in any boat if I had a silver fern on my chest.” Leydon says.

A good performance in Cambridge could lead to international meets. Leydon is also in contention for a scholarship to Harvard University in the US.

“It’s pretty prestigious and competitive the US University since. There are more Kiwis going over there so it would be great to have a chance at that.” explains.
​

Impressively Leydon, a former basketball and rugby player, has overcome injured knee ligaments to flourish in rowing. In the little spare time he has Leydon enjoys photography.

Comments

    Archives

    August 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    May 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    August 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016

    RSS Feed

Organisation

College Sport Media is dedicated to telling the story of successful young sportspeople in New Zealand

Use of articles

All rights are reserved for commercial use.
Any Educational Institution or official sports governing body may use material with acknowledgement to College Sport Media 
© COPYRIGHT 2015.-2019 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.