‘Once in a generation’: Tributes for rowing identity Doc McDonald

Doc McDonald was a dedicated member of New Zealand's rowing community. Photo / NZME

Kiwi rowing stalwart Don “Doc” McDonald has died aged 91 after more than 60 years dedicated to the sport.

Through his coaching, McDonald left his mark at several rowing clubs and schools across the provinces of Christchurch, Whanganui and Hawke’s Bay.

He had a decorated career as a rower himself and was involved in Whanganui’s Union Boat Club’s golden years in the 50s. He once said his contribution to the 1959 national winning eight was his proudest achievement from his competing days.

The crew from that eight would regularly meet up in the years that followed. The next reunion will now have one less member present.

After ending his competitive career, McDonald moved into coaching and went on to mould some of New Zealand’s best rowers.

He has been described as a shy coach by many of those who were coached by him, someone who did not want to take the limelight away from the rowers.

He had great success in Canterbury as well as Hawke’s Bay and Napier Boys’ High School.

McDonald said his proudest coaching moment was when Canterbury Club’s premier eight won the 2004 Maadi Cup – considering the fact it was the first heavyweight title for the club for 99 years.

It was arguably in Whanganui where he made the most impact and created a lasting legacy.

After his competitive days for Whanganui’s Union Boat Club, he had three separate periods coaching Whanganui Collegiate, Union Boat Club and Aramoho.

One of his former athletes, Des Healy, said McDonald’s impact on him was huge.

“Doc was never a critic, he always encouraged,” Healy said.

“He was always extremely supportive of his rowers and very generous with his time and kindness to people – if you look at the tributes coming in from former rowers, they recognise that.

“He gave us belief, he gave his rowers the belief they could do it – win or lose, he got the very best out of them.”

Healy was a part of another “golden era” for Whanganui’s rowing scene in the 80s, leading into the 90s.

Healy said McDonald had a balanced coaching style and often mixed the conventional with the unconventional.

McDonald would also reference quotes and philosophies from the likes of German theologian Karl Adams and former US president Theodore Roosevelt to motivate the rowers.

“He always felt that you never know what gems you have got until you gave them a bit of a polish – he got anyone, any shape and size, he would coach them and polish them up,” Healy said.

“He had this great philosophy that if people were keen, he would coach them.”

McDonald was a highly decorated, highly respected man during his time in the sport of rowing.

McDonald graduated in 1957 as a dental surgeon (hence the name “Doc” being given to him), and worked for a large part of his life.

He worked at the Whanganui Hospital and was a consultant and it was here where Healy met McDonald.

Healy said he mentioned to McDonald that he was looking for a rowing coach and, without hesitation, McDonald took him to practice on the Whanganui River – they then started building up more and more participants every time they went out.

Additionally, McDonald co-founded the Wanganui Sports Medicine Trust to analyse and test athletes and equipment.

He was involved with the NZ eight that won gold in the 1972 Olympics, tested the NZ rowing trialists for two decades, trained and advised NZ cyclists and it was believed that he built one of New Zealand’s first indoor rowing machines, otherwise known as the erg.

“He was highly respected in the rowing community. Guys like Doc McDonald only come around once in a generation,” Healy said.

Don “Doc” McDonald passed away peacefully on January 27, surrounded by family.

“He’d been a friend of mine all my life. Fortunately, I was able to see him before he passed away,” Healy said.

Several of McDonald’s former rowing clubs and schools posted to Facebook to express their condolences.

Healy said McDonald’s legacy will be intact for years to come.

“He’ll go down as one of our greatest coaches.”