Erik Horrie
Having only taken up rowing in 2010, Erik Horrie’s aim was to attend his first Paralympic Games in 2012. The Queenslander (who has now relocated to NSW) has enjoyed a highly successful start to his career and shaped as a serious medal threat in the men’s single skulls event where he took on British world champion Tom Aggar. Erik went on to win the Silver Medal in the ASM1X (Arms Shoulders Men’s single scull) at the 2012 London Paralympic Games.
Erik made shockwaves at the 2011 FISA World Rowing Championships in Slovenia, not only to win a bronze medal in the men’s single skulls final but to qualify the boat for the 2012 London Paralympic Games. He was ecstatic just to be at his first World Championships and came away amazed from the experience. It capped a very encouraging first 12 months of competition, including a fourth placed finish at a 2011 World Cup meet in Munich.
When Erik was 21, he was involved in a head on car accident that left him paraplegic. With the support of his partner Michelle, Erik began to play wheelchair basketball, catching the eye of national selectors while playing in the National Wheelchair Basket League with the Brisbane Spinning Bullets. In 2009 he made his debut for Australia as part of the men’s wheelchair basketball team, the Rollers which gold at the 2009 IWBF Oceania Championships.
Erik also enjoys hand-cycling and watching motor sports and spending time with his family in his spare time.
Erik is dad to 2 daughters and a son, Maddison 11 years old and Summer 4 years old and the latest edition Lewis 3 ½ months who was born when Erik was over in London at the Paralympic Games 2012.