Having goals to strive for is one of the things Otago medical student Ged Wall enjoys most about rowing.
Otago medical tauira Ged Wall likes to keep busy.
And between his studies and competing nationally and internationally in rowing, that’s not hard to do.
Ged (Te Rarawa, Te Aupōuri) is a fourth-year medical student based at the Ōtepoti Dunedin campus. He recently returned from competing at the 2026 FISU World University Championships in London, Canada, where he and Alex Fletcher (University of Canterbury) finished fifth in the B final of the men’s double sculls.
Ged really enjoyed his time in Canada, saying it was “nice to be somewhere different”. The 10-day training period before the competition gave him a chance to adjust to the heat, which was a welcome change from winter in Dunedin.
He has raced extensively at a premier level, winning national titles, and previously rowed for Otago in China against Chinese and other international universities. However, this was his first time at the World University Championships and he relished the tough competition.
Ged Wall (left) and rowing mate Alex Fletcher give it their all at the rowing regatta at the FISU World University Championships in Canada.
Born and raised in Ashburton, Ged started rowing as a Year 9 Ashburton College student. Along with his siblings, he was brought up around the sport – his father Justin is a renowned rowing coach – and his sister Veronica rows for New Zealand.
It’s not only in sport where Ged is following in his family’s footsteps. Many of his whānau are doctors or work in health professions, including his father, who is a dentist, and his mother, Dr Charlotte Cox, who is a GP (and a former New Zealand cycling champion). Both his parents are Otago alumni.
Ged says the family connection meant studying Medicine “seemed like the obvious choice” and it also provides a clear career path.
“I like the structure and having something to work at. If there’s a lot of work to do, you just get amongst it. It keeps me busy.”
He’s enjoying the time spent in Dunedin Hospital and the opportunity for more practical experience.
“I’m putting my learning into action, getting to see patients and how the hospital actually works.”
He’s got the opportunity to pass on what he’s learning too – his sister Isabel is a third-year medical tauira at Otago.
Being based in Ōtepoti for the final three years of his medical training means Ged can continue to row with the Otago University Rowing Club, which he describes as “one of the best facilities in New Zealand”.
He likes the training and working towards a goal.
“I’ve never gotten used to the early starts though.”
– Kōrero by Andrea Jones, Team Leader, Divisional Communications
Medicine at Otago
The Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB) degree is commonly referred to as the “medical degree”. University of Otago medical students graduate as doctors committed to high-quality, patient-centred, evidence-based medical care.
Medicine at Otago