James Hill

New Zealand rower James Hill began his career at the Hamilton Rowing Club in 1947 where he started in the fours before moving to the single and double sculls. Hill soon became one of the best rowers in the country, winning the single sculls title for six consecutive years (1958–63). Just prior to his national dominance he was selected to compete in the event at the 1956 Melbourne Olympics, reaching the semi-finals. Two years later he was part of New Zealand’s delegation that competed at the 1958 British Empire and Commonwealth Games in Cardiff, Wales. Here Hill won silver in the single sculls and bronze in the double sculls with compatriot Norm Suckling.

In 1960 Hill competed at his second Olympics where he just missed out on a medal in the single sculls, finishing fourth in the final. Two years later, however, he added to his medal haul at the British Empire and Commonwealth Games when he won gold in the single sculls in Perth, Australia. After retiring from competitive rowing Hill was still involved in the sport, with him building the pontoons and the judging towers for the 1978 World Rowing Championships that were held at Lake Karapiro in northern New Zealand. He later worked as a coach before retiring from the sport for good, later working as a funeral director.