THE Aramoho Wanganui Rowing Club claimed their first gold medals with the promise of more to come at the Bankstream NZ Rowing Champs at Twizel yesterday.
At press time, AWRC had won two golds and bronze as the A Finals started yesterday afternoon on Lake Ruataniwha, while they will have representation in 15 more medal races today and tomorrow.
The club has a squad of 24 male and female competitors in Twizel, and will be looking towards a strong conversion rate from the 11 medals - including six gold - they won at the North Island Club Championship at Lake Karapiro two weekends ago.
Club spokeswoman Barbara Hammond said a person had to sacrifice - paying $1000 each in membership, entry fees and transport - to get to Twizel. They did this through food and clothing sales, hosting functions after regattas and offering their services as various Wanganui events. "These rowers have worked hard, not only rowing but funding their sport," said Hammond.
First medal at the nationals was bronze in the men's club coxed eight A final. Finishing in 6m 17.47s, AWRC were 1s behind the Hawke's Bay Rowing Club eight, and 5s behind the winning Blenheim team. AWRC's Ian Weenink-coached eight comprised Hugh Pawson (stroke), Jack Hughes, James Clark, Jack van Bussel, Adrian van Bussel, Kit Croxford, Zac Visser, Jesse Simkin and Lucy Allpress (cox).
The first gold of the regatta came from the AWRC and Composite men's novice coxed quad sculls, winning the eight-boat A Final in 6m 55.26s from the Avon and Oamaru teams.
Tony O'Keefe (stroke), Ryan Joblin, Mason Porteous, Bodie Butler and Georgia Keech (cox) went to the top of the podium.
Soon to be joining them was the women's club coxed eight, who dominated their A Final, winning in 6m 45.95s, over 6s ahead of the chasing Star Boating Club and North Shore RC. Kayla Spencer (stroke), Millie Thomson, Jessica Brougham, Georgia Hickey, Sara-Jane Back, Samantha Legge, Ruby Willis, Taliah Su'a and Ella Wilsher (cox) earned their medal, going 29s faster than their victory in the heats.