Former Olympic rowing champion Rob Waddell has revealed he is deadly serious about competing in Beijing next year.

The 2000 Olympic gold medalist has made an emphatic return to top level rowing today, winning the single sculls at the K1 regatta on Lake Karapiro. He beat a field that included current world champion Mahe Drysdale.

While Waddell has clearly lost none of his skill and class as a singles sculler, he says he is not worried if he does not compete in that boat at the Olympics. He says he is open minded and will discuss the possibilities with the Rowing New Zealand selectors. Rob Waddell has been sailing with Team New Zealand since 2000.