31 Jan 2025

Blind rower Toby Ireland's bold goal

From Nine To Noon, 10:05 am on 31 January 2025
Rowers including Toby Ireland rowing along the Petone foreshore in Wellington

Photo: Supplied

16-year-old blind rower Toby Ireland's big goal is to reach the LA Olympic Games in 2028. Toby also has Hyperthymesia - the rare ability to recall nearly all past experiences. His dad Saul realised Toby's memory was different from a young age - and in particualr a moment when Toby recalled the order of 1,000 songs on his iPod. Toby's journey with rowing is just the latest in a long line of endeavours - including outward bound, cross country and piano. Toby and his parents Nikki and Saul join Kathryn in the studio.

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