So replied 17-year-old Tara Copp from Taree when asked what she enjoys about rowing.

Tara’s still on a high after making her competition debut for Manning River Rowing Club at last weekend’s Taree regatta. The club’s first para-rower, Tara was introduced to the sport in a roundabout manner.

Tara’s a member of the Riding for Disabled (RDA). However, to be able ride with the group she has to keep her weight below 80kgs.

“Tara owns her own horse, but even so, if she goes over 80kgs, she can’t ride,’’ Tara's friend, Marg Lewis explained.

Tara was getting close to the 80kg barrier so Marg decided it was time to act.

Marg helped bring parkrun to Taree in 2015. So about two years ago she took Tara to the weekly Saturday morning 5km run along the Manning foreshore as part of her fitness regimen. But Tara was at best a reluctant runner.

“She didn’t like it at all,’’ Marg recalled with a laugh.

There was an upside to that. Parkrun starts and finishes at Endeavour Place, near Manning River Rowing Club and Tara started taking an interest in the crews heading out for training on Saturday morning. As luck would have it, Manning rowing coach Hugh McLeod was at the time a parkrun regular.

“I saw Hugh and we signed her up for indoor rowing,’’ Marg said.

Tara soon decided to rowing was better than running as she enthusiastically took part in the indoor sessions.

“After six months she wasn’t satisfied with rowing indoors – she wanted to get out on the water,’’ Marg explained.

“So I saw Hugh and he agreed to coach her – he’s been wonderful.’’

Since then Tara’s been a regular on the river, gradually gaining in confidence as her technique improved. There was another positive – training sessions were on Saturday mornings, meaning Tara could skip running.

Last weekend Tara was ready to make her regatta debut. She admits to being a bit nervous before her first race, where she teamed with Hugh in the double scull. They emerged victorious. Tara later went solo in the D-grade single scull – an open event.

Here she had a bit of trouble keeping on course but was only just out of the major placings.

“We were really proud of her,’’ Hugh said.

“Tara has potential – two of our best and most experienced rowers, Roy Halliday and Graham Nix both commented on how well she went and that’s high praise.’’

Marg admits it was all a bit much for her.

“I couldn’t watch,’’ she said.

“But I was in tears afterwards.’’

Tara’s has no preference about rowing in a team or the single scull.

“I like both,’’ she replied.

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Regatta success

Tara has a long term sporting goal. However, it doesn’t involve horse riding or rowing and certainly not running.

“Weight lifting,’’ she said.

“Tara wants to compete at weight lifting at the Special Olympics,’’ Marg further explained.

“She started weight lifting at the gym.’’

All the training is paying dividends, with Tara now coming in under 70kgs and looks trim.

It’s been a big few days. Tara was successful in gaining her L plates this week.