Rowers from Ashburton College will compete at the annual Aon Maadi Regatta on Lake Karapiro, Cambridge this week, aiming to build on accolades from the recent South Island champs. They had five podium finishes and claimed gold, silver and bronze medals.
The upcoming regatta is the national championships for school rowing in New Zealand.
It is run by the New Zealand Secondary Schools Rowing Association and Rowing New Zealand and this year will be on Lake Karapiro, Cambridge from March 24 to 29.
College team spokesperson Kirsty Moffett said nine rowers plus a coxswain from the college were set to compete: – under 16s Caleb Armstrong, Georgia Scammell, Zara McGillen, Isla Moffett, Tegan Marriott, and under 15s Summer Tilson, Harper Tuitavake, Gretchen Ross and Eve Marshall, with coxswain Luke Moffett.
‘‘We have a novice crew of four who are competing in the u15 coxed quadruple sculls and the u15 coxed four,’’ Moffett said.
‘‘The u16 crew are competing in the u16 coxed quadruple sculls and the u16 coxed four (both of which they medalled in at the South Island Secondary Schools.)’’
Caleb, as the only boy, was competing in the u16 and u17 single events, she said.
Rowers had put in some long hours training on and off the water over summer.
They were on the water at Lake Hood five mornings a week, and had two land trainings a week in the evenings either erging on the indoor rowing machine, or running.
‘‘The darker mornings have meant they now row at night if weather allows or erg if it is too windy.’’
During the South Island championships on Lake Ruataniwha, Twizel in early March, Isla Moffett won gold in the under 16 girls’ single sculls, Georgia Scammell won bronze.
Caleb Armstrong won bronze in the under 16 boys’ single sculls, and coxed quad crew of Isla, Georgia, Zara McGillen, and Tegan Marriott, along with coxswain Maddie Marshall, earned gold and silver medals in the under 16 coxed quad sculls and under 16 coxed four.
Moffett said they delivered a stellar performance showcasing skill, determination and perseverance on the water.
‘‘The achievements of Ashburton College rowers at the championships are a reflection of their dedication and the strong rowing culture fostered within the school. Their results not only bring pride to their teammates and coaches but also set a high standard for future competitions.’’
