The 20-year-old has put on 11kg and made the jump from lightweight to heavyweight.
This weekend will be his first major test in the new class, as he lines up alongside 1048 other rowers at the Otago championships on Lake Ruataniwha.
The Otago University club rower is set to compete in the men’s single sculls, quadruple sculls and four.
While he has done a bit of racing against heavyweights before, he is hoping he will hold his own better with some extra bulk on him.
"I’m finding I’ve got quite a bit more power," the former Otago Boys’ High School pupil said.
"I think it might take a while for me to get used to it, but it’s definitely coming along.
"I’m definitely feeling the difference. A lot more energy, I can get a lot more done."
He had plenty of success in the lightweight category and had been part of the Southern regional performance centre in Christchurch last year.
However, the weight restriction had its disadvantages and, after his numbers did not quite stack up at this year’s trials, he decided to make the jump.
"Just after getting sick and injured, being a bit too skinny and sort of burning out at lightweight a bit," was behind the jump, he said.
"I decided I’ll give it a shot at heavyweight and keep giving it a push until the end of my degree and see where it takes me.
"I performed all right during the on-water trials [at RPC], but during the testing on the rowing machines my numbers just weren’t up to standard.
"So I thought I probably burnt myself out a bit over the winter and maybe I just need to make the decision.
"I’ve been 50/50 whether I stay lightweight or go heavyweight, but this was the tipping point to go ‘right I just need to do it’."
He had since gone from 71kg to 82kg, having put on the first 9kg in two months.
Making it back to the RPC was something he said would be good, although the second-year student was not making plans past the end of his marketing and tourism degree.
He was enjoying rowing for university and would continue to do so, with the hope of getting a national under-23 trial in his last year.
This weekend’s regatta has attracted crews from all around the South Island and, while numbers were slightly down on last year, it was a good turnout.
Racing begins at 7.30am today, and the last final is scheduled for 3pm tomorrow.
