Balaclava teacher Dave Waddell is proof it’s not what you know, it’s who you know.
When his school was looking for a guest speaker to inspire its pupils, his hand shot up and the services of Olympic rowing double gold medallist Hamish Bond were offered - perhaps a little prematurely.
Fortunately, Bond was available and willing.
Mr Waddell was a few years behind Bond at Otago Boys’ High School, and they both rowed. Since then, they had kept in touch, Bond said.
"A while ago, Dave sent me a Facebook message saying if you’re ever in town, the school would appreciate it if you could come and talk to the kids.
"I knew I was in town and I had a spare afternoon, so ..."
The 31-year-old Dunedin-born athlete was back in Dunedin on Friday to attend the Otago Medical Research Foundation’s annual fundraising dinner, where he and New Zealand men’s pair team-mate Eric Murray were the guest speakers.
Principal Gary Marsh was delighted with the visit.
He said it was a fantastic opportunity for the pupils to learn about some of the challenges that came with achieving high-level success.
"It’s a chance for them to see what you can achieve if you put your heart and soul into something. He’s providing inspiration."
