Rowing: Regatta entries hit 3 year high

Don't be surprised if the next Olympic gold medallist is among the 189 entries in the Bay of Plenty Rowing regatta at Lake Tikitapu on Sunday.

Sports Bay of Plenty coach force officer Mark Elphick is helping organise the event which sees one of its largest entries.

Elphick puts the high numbers down to the success of the New Zealand rowers at this year's London Olympics.

"It's [club membership is] going through the roof. Rotorua membership is full, Tauranga's is almost full. This is one of the highest entries this regatta has had in the last three years."

New Zealand rowers picked up five medals overall including Tauranga rower Mahe Drysdale's gold medal. It was also Rotorua rower Julie Edward's first Olympics, where she finished third in the B final.

Crews from throughout the Bay of Plenty are set to converge on Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake) for Sunday's regatta.

It will be a chance for novice crews to get their first opportunity to race, Elphick said.

"We also have a corporate race happening on the weekend with a number of businesses taking part in it."

The event gets underway at 10am and is expected to run through until about 4pm.

Clubs expected to take part are Rotorua Rowing Club, Tauranga Rowing Club, Whakatane Rowing Club and Bay Coast Rowing Club.