Hellen started rowing with the excitement of bumps races when at St. Catherine’s College, Oxford. On starting work, she joined the Civil Service Ladies RC before moving to Sefton RC. Rowing on the Tideway and the small Marine Lake in Southport had very different challenges and she aims to ensure the juniors learn to manoeuvre and race boats in tricky conditions. Whilst at Sefton she coached a blind crew, teaching her that every instruction needs to be clear to produce the intended outcome.
After gaining a place on the GB Women’s Development Programme, Hellen moved to Nottingham in 1994 and joined NURC, winning the National Championships in a composite quad in a time of 6.43.16, a championship record which stood for 22 years. Coached by Rosie Mayglothling, there followed another gold in Lwt 2x and a bronze in Hwt 1x. In 1999 Hellen sat at bow in an NCRA VIII which finished 9th in the WHORR, before winning the Senior 1 pennant at the Sculler’s Head in her last race before taking a step back from training to travel.
In 2000 Hellen was asked to take on coaching the junior squad at Loughborough Boat Club, gaining her level 2 qualification. In 2005, she took a break from the river and coached swimming, but when her fourth child asked to learn to row, she returned to NCRA after 20 years and is loving being back with the sport and nurturing future talent. Her experience has taught her the importance of developing technique and encourages the athletes at NCRA to develop and incorporate a range of drills in their outings.