Rachel Smith

Rachel Smith: GB Dragon Boat Racing & trans-Atlantic Rower

Rachel Smith has represented Great Britain in World and European Dragon Boat Racing Championships and holds an astounding 25 medals (including two World Records). In 2008, Rachel joined the small group of elite women who have successfully rowed across the Atlantic Ocean. Many are surprised to learn that Rachel has achieved all this while balancing a successful and full-time career in marketing.

Totally inspired by Olympic coaches such as David Hemery, Rachel realised what could be achieved if you really want to do something and are prepared to focus on taking the steps to succeed. She qualified for the National Dragon Boat Racing Team on every attempt over the next ten years.

As part of the GB team as a paddler and helm, Rachel won 25 World and European Championship medals, a world-record for the 1,000m Women's event and a host of other international titles. This year she's been invited back to join the team and helm at the world championships in Tampa, Florida.

Rachel knows that winning at competitive sport can only come with a real understanding of teamwork, staying focused during tough times, and using techniques such as visualisation to achieve goals.

It was friend and solo trans-Atlantic rower Debra Searle who encouraged Rachel to take on the Atlantic challenge. Rachel decided to row with her friend Lin to raise funds for Breast Cancer Care. For Rachel, raising funds was taken as seriously as training to row an ocean and she raised over £65,000 for the charity. Recognition came in winning an HBOS Award for fundraising and reaching the Final of The Sun/Everyclick Fundraiser of the Year Awards (run in honour of Jane Tomlinson).

During talks, Rachel brings alive the experience of rowing the Atlantic - two-hours on and two hours off - in rough waves and storms. In February 2008 after 76 gruelling days rowing across the ocean, Rachel and Lin arrived in Antigua surviving a terrifying capsize just 300 miles from the finish line. They won the Women's pairs class.

At her speaking engagements, Rachel draws on her marketing and business background to ensure that the messages arising from her sporting adventures have real resonance as well as practical application. Engaging and modest, Rachel's enthusiasm is infectious and she has the ability to reach audiences no matter what their age or status. She regularly works for the Prince's Trust encouraging young people to make the most of opportunities and work towards goals.

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Reach Your Goals | Take on a Challenge | Teamwork | Marketing