Drunks go on rampage after rowing champs

Two top coaches were barred from the Lake Ruataniwha event after arguing with race officials when a team was accused of cheating. Photo / Thinkstock

Out-of-control athletes and supporters forced a bar to close and police to shut down a party of 200 after the New Zealand Rowing Championships in Twizel at the weekend.

Both the bar and rental property were left damaged and local business owners are questioning the drinking culture surrounding the event.

Two top rowing coaches were also barred from the Lake Ruataniwha event after arguing with race officials when a team was accused of cheating and stripped of its gold medal.

Top Hut Bar & Bistro owner Darrin Burgess said he had to close his premises - which had hosted a DJ and cordoned off a special area for the rowers and their supporters - when celebrations got out of hand at 1am on Sunday.

"It was an extreme action but it had to be done because we had people climbing over fences to get in and we couldn't keep control of it. They were drunk and abusive and didn't want to comply - they were terrible. There were very, very drunk people in town on Saturday night."

Mr Burgess understood it was not the high-level athletes but younger "fringe" competitors and their supporters.

He said there was some understanding for the group unwinding after intense training schedules, but the behaviour was unacceptable.

"Two-thirds of the people that tried to get in were turned away because they were too intoxicated.

"We have had two and a half times the people in here for New Year's Eve and had zero incidents. There is damage to the property all around the place: damaged fences, damaged toilets, everything."

Senior Constable Les Andrew said about 200 revellers then moved to a Tekapo Drive property, rented by club rowers, where police were called by neighbours about 2am.

"The house was getting damaged so they closed it down. It was out of hand there."

He said one person was arrested for disorderly behaviour and police were also notified of the trespass notice served on the coaches.