Gwion Evans is lining up in his first World Championships, earning selection by winning the Welsh shearing circuit in 2016. We chatted with Gwion at the recent NZ Full Wool Shearing Championships in Northern Southland.
Gwion, welcome over. Good chance for a hit-out here (at the Northern Southland Shears), how are you feeling?
Feeling good, just missed out on the semis. A bit too slow I think.
Is if different to what you are used to with these big Romney ewes you are throwing around today?
Yeah, they are very strong ewes. The sheep at home are not as big so it's a bit of a struggle to keep up with the Kiwis, but we'll try our best.
You have been out since December?
Yep, I came out in December for a little bit of a holiday and I'm trying to get fit and we'll see how it goes over the next couple of weeks.
Well it's not really a holiday, is it? You're putting a bit of work in. What kind of shearing have you been doing up north?
Just second shear mainly. I just did a show in Tauranga and then came down south.
Talk us through the qualification for the Welsh team for you.
I won the circuit. There were seven shows I think with the top points earning a place and I was lucky enough to win it. The other shearer is the Champion of Wales and that's Ian (Jones). We travel to all the shows together and try and do our best.
What's your plans between now and World Champs?
Hopefully I'll get more practice in and try and sort a bit of gear out. I'll ask the top men over here what gear is the best to use on these sheep and I'm looking forward to the World Champs.
Are these your first World Champs?
These are my first World Champs, but I went to the one in Wales to have a look. It's a great honour for me.
What are you looking forward to most?
I don't know. I'll try and get into that final. We'll see how it goes. It's going to be a good experience for everybody who goes there I think.
Give us your shearing background.
I started shearing when I was 13 or 14, just doing a couple at home. Once I started getting a little bit quicker I started going out with my brother contracting around home and it just went from there. I always wanted to be a shearer.
Are you staying around after World Champs or heading back?
I'm heading straight back home after the Champs. We'll be straight into lambing. We've got a family farm back home so there will be a bit of work when I get back. I feel a bit guilty leaving them to run the farm while I'm over here.
Good luck and we look forward to seeing you at World Champs
Thank you. Cheers.
Gwion, welcome over. Good chance for a hit-out here (at the Northern Southland Shears), how are you feeling?
Feeling good, just missed out on the semis. A bit too slow I think.
Is if different to what you are used to with these big Romney ewes you are throwing around today?
Yeah, they are very strong ewes. The sheep at home are not as big so it's a bit of a struggle to keep up with the Kiwis, but we'll try our best.
You have been out since December?
Yep, I came out in December for a little bit of a holiday and I'm trying to get fit and we'll see how it goes over the next couple of weeks.
Well it's not really a holiday, is it? You're putting a bit of work in. What kind of shearing have you been doing up north?
Just second shear mainly. I just did a show in Tauranga and then came down south.
Talk us through the qualification for the Welsh team for you.
I won the circuit. There were seven shows I think with the top points earning a place and I was lucky enough to win it. The other shearer is the Champion of Wales and that's Ian (Jones). We travel to all the shows together and try and do our best.
What's your plans between now and World Champs?
Hopefully I'll get more practice in and try and sort a bit of gear out. I'll ask the top men over here what gear is the best to use on these sheep and I'm looking forward to the World Champs.
Are these your first World Champs?
These are my first World Champs, but I went to the one in Wales to have a look. It's a great honour for me.
What are you looking forward to most?
I don't know. I'll try and get into that final. We'll see how it goes. It's going to be a good experience for everybody who goes there I think.
Give us your shearing background.
I started shearing when I was 13 or 14, just doing a couple at home. Once I started getting a little bit quicker I started going out with my brother contracting around home and it just went from there. I always wanted to be a shearer.
Are you staying around after World Champs or heading back?
I'm heading straight back home after the Champs. We'll be straight into lambing. We've got a family farm back home so there will be a bit of work when I get back. I feel a bit guilty leaving them to run the farm while I'm over here.
Good luck and we look forward to seeing you at World Champs
Thank you. Cheers.
