Wet weather for rowers

The various rowers and paddlers had to battle wet and rugged conditions on the Whanganui River on Sunday.

Whanganui's rowers and paddlers had to wonder if they would ever get in their August race of the 2017 Winter Series as the second attempt on Sunday was met with very challenging conditions.

The monthly race is always held on the second Sunday of the month, but was postponed the previous week due to high flood water.

Spokeswoman Jacs Rush said the Whanganui River was just about as challenging seven days later, as 25 craft braved the rain and battled against a very swift and high current.

"The results show the value of experience with the top third of the finishers being dominated by those with 'home ground advantage', who had the wherewithal to read the river conditions and turn them to their advantage."

Placings are decided on prognostic times - the percentage of the world record for each boat's particular discipline and crew size.

Aramoho Whanganui Rowing Club's veterans Trevor Rush and Richard Brock again proved their mastery of the river, finishing the 6km course in 26m 19s, which was 83.6 per cent of their prognostic for 65+ Masters Double Scull.

Union Boat Club's Pat Carroll and Philippa Baker-Hogan were second and third respectively, with prognostics of 82.78 and 82.55 per cent respectively for their Masters Singles grades.

The AWRC sister team of Steph and Jacs Rush showed they have learned well from father Trevor, as they finished fourth with a 79.86 per cent prognostic for the Masters C Grade (42+) Double, while Union's Grant Ryder and Rod Calder rounded out the Top 5 with 78.69 per cent for the Master's F Grade Coxless Pair.

The fifth round of the series is scheduled for September 10.