Blood, sweat and shears: An interview with Rowland Smith

Rowland Smith in action. Photo / Barbara Newton

Top competitive Kiwi shearer, Hastings farmer Rowland Smith has his sights set on beating the current solo eight-hour strong wool World Record of 605 ewes.

The attempt will take place at Trefrank Farm, St Clether, Cornwall, England on July 24, the same venue as older brother Matt smashed the nine-hour strong wool ewe record at a year ago.

How did you get into shearing competitively?
Shearing is in my blood. My brothers shore and my dad was a farmer and shearer. Competitions started at an early stage with the belief that competition shearing improves your day-to-day shearing, so I was encouraged to go and support the shows. The end product is pretty special too - New Zealand wool is a renewable resource that has great properties and the potential of much more.

What drives you to compete?
I'm a competitive person. It's important to have goals in life to keep motivated. Shearing competitively has also been a good way to catch up with friends all around the world.

Do you incorporate any other training into your days to keep you fit for shearing competitively?
I have a strict diet and training routine. I have been training for the last seven months three to four times a week on top of my day-to-day shearing. I have been working with trainers Michael Goodman and Matt Luxton of FA Fitness via the Training Peaks app. Mike loads my workout into the app, I access it and execute it. The training is a mix of strength, mobility, cardio and conditioning as well as lots of stretching. The workouts take anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes and I usually do them before work because it's harder to find motivation after a long, hard day's shearing.

Your brother farms in the UK - tell us about what he's up to?
My brother married Pip. Her family has farmed on their farm in Cornwall since 1703, so Matt and Pip made the move to the UK to farm there in 2013. Matt's trying to make the place feel like home and running New Zealand style system sheep and deer but within British rules and regulations.

Do you reckon you can taste the difference between Kiwi grown and UK grown lamb?
This is a hard question. My brother farms New Zealand Romneys on a grass based system, trying to replicate what we have here in New Zealand. He must be doing something right because I can't taste the difference between his lamb and mine!