With Familial Encouragement

New Zealand rower Emma Twigg’s introduction to her sport wasn’t quite love at first sight. Twigg, 24, who took second place at the recent Championship Women’s Singles event of the 47th annual Head of the Charles Regatta in Boston, was urged by her dad, Peter, to try rowing — in particular sculling, which includes two oars per person instead of sweep rowing’s one — at the famed Hawke’s Bay Rowing Club. “It wasn’t what I expected,” said Twigg, a bronze medalist at the last two world championships. “When I first started it was quite difficult. I think the thing that got me going was that the Evers-Swindell twins were going great and more people were noticing my potential, and I always wanted to go to the Olympics.” “Boston is such a great experience,” said Twigg, who is coached by Dick Tonks of Hawke’s Bay. “There are so many turns on the course.” Twigg’s next stop will be Europe, where her training plans call for high-altitude cycling in the Alps.