Rob Waddell
Rower & Yachtsman
Rob Waddell is a New Zealand rower, yachtsman and more recently, chef de mission for the NZ Team at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
Waddell grew up on a King Country dairy farm and went to King’s College in Auckland, where rowing was a sport with strong traditions. Winning world titles in 1998 and 1999, and capping his career with an Olympic gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics is only the tip of his sporting achievements.
The popular and well-spoken Waddell was made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2001 for his services to rowing. Waddell has served on the Athlete Commission of the New Zealand Olympic Committee.
In 1998, Waddell married leading New Zealand women’s single sculler, Sonia Scown, they have three children.