Future of rowing looks bright

Major prizewinners: Gisborne Rowing Club awards were presented at the club’s prize-giving. Among those to receive major awards were (from left) Presley Gibson, Phoebe Naske, Hannah Veitch, Joshua Kelly, Cody Wright and Lochlann Harr.

ROWING

The future of rowing in the district was on show at the Gisborne Rowing Club prize-giving following a successful 2017/18 season.

Novice and junior crews scooped up the major silverware, underlining the ability of the club to attract and develop new talent.

The McBreen Shield for the most successful school crew went to the Gisborne Girls’ High School under-15 double of Hannah Veitch and Phoebe Naske.

This duo’s sixth place in the A final at the New Zealand Secondary Schools Rowing Championships topped off a great season for both rowers. They were consistently competitive in this boat class, their hard work and persistence paying off as they took it to some well-drilled and much bigger u15 rowers in Twizel.

New combination Oscar Ruston and Cody Wright, in the boys’ u15 double scull class, won the Ferkins Cup for club crew of the year.

They had not trained often as a pair on the river due to their commitments in other boats. Yet they teamed up for the u15 double and raced a cracking heat in the Cambridge Town Cup Regatta, finishing second, right behind the rowing powerhouse of Hamilton Boys’ High School. They then backed up that effort with an impressive third placing in the final.

Lochlann Harr and Oscar Ruston won the award for novice crew of the year for their boys’ u15 double. Their grit and determination helped them become strong contenders in the u15 double class. A position in the A final at the North Island Secondary Schools Championships topped off a great start to their rowing careers.

In the individual awards, Ruston was named male novice of the season. With a rich family history in the sport, Ruston was able to draw on his attributes of size, strength and competitive instinct to give outstanding performances in his first season with the club.

Phoebe Naske was named novice female of the season. Her ability to push herself beyond expectations set her apart. Her approach to some challenging situations was to “give it her best shot” — an attitude expected to take her far.

Joshua Kelly won the Rocky Cup for most determined schoolboy rower. Kelly turned up every time to winter training determined to grow stronger and fitter, and then carried that passion right through summer.

His reward for the hard work was to be part of the B final second-place effort the boys’ u16 coxed four achieved at the nationals, with their time placing them in the top 10 crews in New Zealand.

Presley Gibson was named most determined schoolgirl rower and received the Hirst Family Cup.

Gibson’s ability to turn up, smile and perform at her best day in, day out has made her a dominant force on the u16 rowing scene.

Her commitment and determination indicate a big future in rowing.