"It was the icing on the cake to win [the regatta]," Whakatane Rowing Club president Steve Brine said.
"It shows the depth in the club, you have to score points across the board to win the title."
He said they had about 50 rowers competing at the two-day event and the win was the first for the club in six or seven years.
Brine said having Olympian Klaassen back training and rowing with the club was great for fellow members.
"He competed at the Beijing and London Olympics in the men's eight for Holland.
"He is back training at our club and it is a big thing for our young members to row with an Olympic athlete."
Brine said it meant a lot for the club to win the overall title. More than 550 rowers took part in the regatta and Rotorua Rowing Club president James Boyce said it was a great success.
"The weather was great, the support was great and we only had one tip out on the lake," he said.
"We are really thankful for all the local businesses who sponsored each race."
He said money raised during the weekend would be used to purchase equipment like oars and boats and make rowing affordable for locals.
