They met only a year ago but in that short time have inspired each other to attain higher standards in their sport.
Geary (50), a Bluff stevedore, broke two world records in the men's aged 50 to 54 lightweight events at the World Masters championships in Adelaide last October. His time for the 500m was 1min 24.2sec and the 1000m was 3min 03.3sec.
Grace (38), an Invercargill police constable, became a world record-holder for the first time at the ACC New Zealand Masters Games in Dunedin on Sunday when she clocked 3min 33.5sec to shave nearly 2sec off the women's aged 36 to 47 record.
‘‘I was gobsmacked,'' she said. ‘‘I'm not often short for words but I was then. It was a complete surprise.''
Grace had pushed herself to the limit and was exhausted at the end of the race at the University of Otago lecture theatre.
‘‘My legs were on fire with pain so I grabbed my water bottle and went outside to take a breather. I didn't hear the announcement,'' she said.
The couple have moved in the same sporting circles for the past four years but had not really met each other until the New Zealand rowing championships were held at Lake Ruataniwha last year.
They have lived together for the past year and will seal the bond at their wedding next month. ‘‘We train together on the water but don't talk about rowing all the time at home,'' Geary said.
‘‘There are other more important things to talk about, like house renovations and the wedding.''
