Tim Ole Naske entered into German Junior National team as a 17 year old and won gold in the Men’s Double Sculls. Then he won the junior men’s single sculls and Youth Olympic Games single, under-23 double sculls. Now, as a 20-year-old, Naske is knocking on the door of Germany’s senior team, have already been recognized by the World Rowing Federation (FISA) as the Rising Star of the month May 2016. Tim spoke with us on his career, his aspirations and more.
FISA Rising Star – May 2016, how difficult is to break into the top league?
To break into the top league is a very big step. Even though I’ve won several events, I would say I’m far away from the top league. To make that, I have to get stronger and I have to improve my rowing technique. I think that, over the next two years I can improve those parts and break into the top league.
Career snippet- including key crossover points…
In the beginning of my rowing career, I wasn’t really good. When I changed from lightweight to heavyweight at the age of 16 my career started picking up pace and just one year later I won the U19 World Championships in the double for the first time. That was in 2013. I improved my technique and could win another gold medal at the U19 World Championships one year later, in the single with about 21 seconds before the silver medalist crossed the finish line. Just about one week later that year, I also could win the Youth Olympic Games. My career kept on with improvements and I won the U23 Championships in the double. Now this year, I can hopefully keep going like this!
Facilities, training, support system, medical assistance and infrastructure…
Since I was 14, I’m training at the Olympic Center in Hamburg. The conditions here are pretty good and I like it very much. It’s a big center with many athletes, so I generally never have to train alone. In Hamburg, we also have an adequate medical assistance with Asklepios Klinik Hamburg where we can go when injured. So, overall everything is just the way it should be, standard!
Event readiness training…
To get event ready, I often watch videos from regattas or training. It’s to see how my rowing should look like, what I can do better and what’s the best tactic.
Fitness for Rower and your fitness regime…
Fitness is nearly the most important part, a rower must work on that. That is why we always exercise about 23 hours per week. You can only make a good performance at a 2000 meter race, only if you are fit! I do a lot of extensive endurance training and strength training.
Favorite personal performances and favorite Rower, Rowers whom you watched to learn from…
My role-models in rowing are Olaf Tufte, a great Norwegian single sculler, and Mahé Drysdale from New Zealand. Both are Olympic Champions in the single. This is a target (Olympic Title Win), I want to achieve.
Rowers you have teamed up with, how do you delegate the responsibilities when playing with other Rowers in a team?
When you row in a team, you have to subordinate yourself! You will only achieve the target you have as a team, when everyone has his own role and you have to accept a hierarchy.
Your coach- his role in your training…
My coach helps me find the perfect technique and also tells me when I have to train what. He has a great experience!
Challenges related to performances…
The greatest challenge is to give everything in important races. To get beyond a wall, a wall of pain. You just reach this point, when you have a strong mind. And the real challenge is, not to fear the pain that will come but to be excited how far you can get.