Strong start by Kiwi rowers

New Zealand's Grace Prendergast and Kerri Gowler compete in the women's coxless pair. Photo/ AFP

New Zealand crews made a strong start on day one of heats at the 2015 World Rowing Championships in Aiguebelette.

The warm temperatures and light tail winds produced perfect rowing conditions on the first days of heats with three New Zealand crews qualifying for the semi finals, six crews progressing to the quarter finals and the men's four heading to a repechage.

The lightweight men's and women's singles kicked off the regatta in style for New Zealand both winning their heats. Adam Ling looked composed, winning his heat by three seconds and progressing to the quarter finals while Zoe McBride also had a splendid start to the regatta winning her heat by clear water and booking a spot in the semi-finals.

Both the men's and women's coxless pairs cruised through day one with Kerri Gowler and Grace Prendergast flying out of the blocks to win their heat and progress to the semi finals while Eric Murray and Hamish Bond showed their winning form in their heat to progress to the quarter finals.

The lightweight men's double of Peter Taylor and Hayden Cohen were locked in a battle with Germany and China but in finishing third secured their spot in the quarter finals.

Sophie Mackenzie and Julia Edward finished a close second behind Denmark in the lightweight women's double ensuring they also move through to the quarter finals.

In the men's four there was only one semi finals spot up for grabs and with their fourth placing the kiwi four will contest the repechage tomorrow.

After a tight race in the men's quad the New Zealand crew finished with an impressive flying finish that saw them claim second and one of only two available spots in their heat providing a direct route to the semi finals.

Mahe Drysdale produced a quick time of 6:49.05 in the men's single and progressed through to the quarter finals untroubled despite the Mexican sculler chasing him hard throughout the race.

Women's single sculler Fiona Bourke made a promising start to her world champs campaign finishing a clear third and qualifying for the quarter finals.

The remaining New Zealand crews of the women's quad, the men's and women's double, the lightweight men's four and the men's and women's eight will race their heats today with the first race kicking off at 11:35am (9:35pm NZST).