Simon Charles Dickie (31 March 1951 – 13 December 2017) was a New Zealand rowing coxswain best known for guiding crews to three Olympic medals, including two golds. Born in Waverley, Taranaki, he came to prominence in the late 1960s and 1970s during a period when New Zealand rowing was establishing itself on the world stage. Dickie’s role as a coxswain — the person who steers the boat, coordinates the crew’s rhythm and executes race strategy — made him an essential member of medal-winning teams rather than a physical rower.

Role and skills of a coxswain

A coxswain’s contribution is often less visible than the athletes pulling the oars, but it is critical in competitive rowing. The coxswain is responsible for steering, safety, and in-race decisions, and must combine tactical awareness with leadership under pressure. Dickie demonstrated these attributes throughout his international career: calm voice, precise steering, and the ability to motivate and synchronize his crews at key moments.

Olympic participation and achievements

Dickie was involved with New Zealand squads from a young age. For the 1968 Summer Olympics he travelled with the national team as part of the reserve group serving a support role for the eight 1968 Summer Olympics. Over the following years he coxed crews that won multiple Olympic medals, earning two gold medals and a bronze across separate Games. These results placed him among a small group of New Zealand athletes who have earned two or more Olympic gold medals, a distinction that underscores both his longevity and the high level of performance he helped his crews achieve.

Career after competitive rowing

After retiring from elite competition, Dickie remained active in the outdoors and tourism sectors. He lived in Taupō and owned an adventure company, drawing on New Zealand’s reputation for outdoor recreation and using his leadership experience to run commercial activities. His post-sport career reflected a common path for former athletes in New Zealand: staying connected with physical pursuits and local communities while fostering recreation and tourism.

Legacy and notable facts

  • Dickie’s combination of Olympic success and later entrepreneurship made him a recognized figure within New Zealand rowing and local business circles.
  • His career illustrates the unique importance of the coxswain in crew boats — a specialist role that blends tactical command with crew management.
  • He is remembered as one of only a small number of New Zealanders to have won multiple Olympic gold medals.

Simon Dickie died on 13 December 2017 at his home in Taupō, New Zealand Taupō, after an accidental fall from a balcony balcony fall. His passing was noted across New Zealand’s rowing community and media, which recalled both his achievements on the water and his contributions to life after sport. He left a legacy as a skilled coxswain whose tactical acumen helped shape an era of success for New Zealand rowing.