Controversial, successful, outspoken – all words that could have been used to describe 2007 world champion Eric Murray but one thing remains, a burning desire to be a winner at the highest level.

After a relatively small break after the Olympics, Eric is back with a vengeance, rowing with Hamish Bond in the country’s coxless pair and taking on the additional challenge of helping run New Zealand’s only home-based boat manufacturer, KIRS.

A multiple national champion over the years, he remains one of the country’s top sweep oar performers.