Rower honoured as name floated

MY BOAT: Rotorua rower Julia Edward has had a boat named after her. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

Rotorua rower Julia Edward has had a boat named after her at the Waikato Regional Rowing Performance Centre.

The Olympian was one of three rowers from the Waikato and Bay of Plenty area who had a boat named after them on Thursday.

"It was a bit of a surprise. I didn't really expect it, but I was very honoured," Edward said.

The new training boats were unveiled on Thursday afternoon in Cambridge.

The performance centre has been donated 16 rowing boats, mainly single and double-seated boats, from the Grassroots Trust.

The first lot of boats were donated last year and the centre now has the entire fleet ready for use.

Edward said it was a good afternoon on Thursday and she even poured some champagne on the new boat to celebrate.

"It was definitely a first [having something named after me]."

Edward has finished her international season and will spend the summer training on Lake Karapiro near Cambridge.

The donated boats will be used by a 27-strong group involved with the Waikato Regional Rowing Performance Centre.