Rebecca Openshaw-Rowe
From playing international sport to working in typically male dominated environments Bex knows no boundaries when it comes to gender stereotyping and reaching success. She has rowed for Great Britain, competed in the Rugby World Cup and Six Nations for Wales and has won numerous world championships in ‘surf life saving‘ and has even broken world records in this event. In November 2017 her sporting career was cut short due to a multiple ligament rupture in her knee after playing a game for Harlequins.
At the age of 37 she became a firefighter, fulfilling a lifelong ambition after leaving her previous job as a PE teacher. Changing her career so late in life was a huge risk but her guts and determination to persevere means it has been the best decision she ever could have made.
Name: Rebecca Openshaw-Rowe
Job Role: Firefighter
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Enjoy the little victories in life.
Describe yourself in 3 words – Determined, focused and fun.
Favourite Penguin: Macaroni
Rebecca’s Story (In her own words)
From playing international sport to working in typically male dominated environments I know no boundaries when it comes to gender stereotyping and reaching success.
I have rowed for Great Britain, competed in the Rugby World Cup and Six Nations for Wales and won numerous world championships in ‘surf lifesaving’ and had even broken world records in the event.
Having my sporting career cut short twice through injury I have had to find coping strategies to overcome my own depression, lost social identity and coming to terms with not achieving my childhood dream of becoming an Olympian.
Being a female has never limited me in striving for my goals and dreams and being part of this expedition is just another example of this.
I am passionate about being a good example for other women and girls and hope my achievements and life experiences will show there are no boundaries.
I truly believes that women and girls should have the right to the same opportunities as men and boys and that we are just as capable to take on physical and mental challenges seen as classically ‘male’ activities.
Working as a firefighter has been a lifelong ambition and eventually at the age of 37 I started my new career doing just that, having previously been a PE teacher. Changing career late in life was a risk for but I persevered with it and still maintain it has been the best decision I could have made.
I have a mini sausage dog called George who will be a key part of my support team as a motivational coach and chief ‘cwtch’ giver.
The Antarctic is a mystical place where few have dared to go, females even less so. What could be a more exciting and tough challenge!
The chance to be involved in this expedition is an opportunity to build amazing lifelong memories with awesome women who will together create a legacy for females to do and become what they want in life.
After meeting the whole team, having a chance to bond and seeing what an amazing and determined group of women I am involved with I am super excited about getting to business with preparing for the expedition.
I know that this is going to be by far the toughest challenge I have ever undertaken!
