CIONA Wilson will be continuing a long- running family tradition when she takes part in a national rowing talent identification program in New Zealand next week.
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As the only Tasmanian woman in the Australian squad to contest a three- day high performance regatta at Hamilton's Lake Karapiro, 17-year- old Wilson comes from strong rowing stock.
In fact, her family has been involved in the sport for nearly a century.
Dad Mark, 52, rowed in the Tasmanian Kings Cup crew for three years (1982-4) and has coached Launceston Church Grammar rowers for six years.
Grandfather Jim, 79, rowed in the 1953 Tasmanian Kings Cup crew and great- grandfather Jack Routley was president and chairman at Tamar where he coxed in the 1920s.
Ciona's brother Thomas won gold in the under-19 coxed fours at the Australian championships in 2007, while cousin Victoria Hales has also coxed the Grammar under-15s.
"It's great to see she's keeping it in the family," Jim said yesterday when three generations of Wilson rowers met up at Tamar.
Ciona, who was among Grammar's winning Head of the River crew and claimed wins in single, double, four and eight crews at the state school championships, is excited about the New Zealand program, which follows an Easter testing camp at the AIS and seeks to target future Olympians.
"It's the first stepping stone of many," she said.
"It has not really hit me yet, but will be pretty interesting because I have not been out of Australia before."
The state rep at both the youth olympics and youth cup, who has also claimed four medals at national championships, said she was never forced into rowing.
"Dad didn't want me to row but I wanted to give it a go after Mum and Dad were always taking me up to Lake Barrington with my brother," she said.
"I like the challenge of it. I don't really like the training but enjoy the feeling of success."