Rowing the road to success – meet Oscar Ruston, our newest SLR Ambassador
Oscar Ruston joins fellow up-and-comer Ben Mason and NZ Rowing legend Emma Twigg as an SLR Ambassador. We’ve worked with Oscar for the past 12 months and are excited to see him take his rowing to the world stage this year as he competes in the U23 World Rowing Championship in Canada in 2024. Find out a bit more about his past year and what the future holds for this talented rower.
How long have you been rowing for?
I have been rowing for 7-8 years and have rowed for Gisborne Rowing Club, Hawke’s Bay Rowing Club and now Waikato Rowing Club.
How did the Ambassador role with SLR come about?
I originally received some support in 2022 through the Ambassador Programme, including access to an SLR single, which resulted in a very successful rowing season for me. After meeting with Simon and Hamish to see how we could amplify our partnership, they offered me an SLR Ambassador role, which I am incredibly excited about!
How has your 2024 rowing season been so far? Share some of your successes.
The 2024 rowing season has been incredible and definitely my most successful season to date. I managed to achieve three National titles at NZ Club Champs in the U22 single, double, and prem quad, where I was also awarded my red coat. I was then selected for the U23 rowing team as the men’s single scull, which means I am heading to Canada to compete at the U23 World Rowing Championships this year.
What do you hope the SLR Ambassador role will help you to achieve?
I hope this role will help me establish a greater connection to other people in the rowing community and become a role model to younger athletes who love the sport.
What does the future hold? Where would you like to see your rowing take you?
My end goal in my rowing career is to win an Olympic gold medal, and it would be extra special to do it in an SLR.
SLR look forward to seeing Oscar’s career progress and supporting him on his journey to be first across the line at the Olympics. We’ll keep you updated on Oscar’s results in Canada and beyond.
