Whanganui rowing performances bode well for future

Blake Hogan put in an outstanding performance to win the under-16 singlescull title at the annual Christmas Regatta at Lake Karapiro last week. PHOTO/Steve McArthur

Whanganui rowers proved they are among the cream of North Island crews with performances at the annual three day Christmas Regatta at Lake Karapiro last week boding well for the future.

The regatta was huge with 2263 rowers from 59 clubs and schools competing, probably involving the cream of North Island rowing.

Aramoho Wanganui Rowing Club and Wanganui Collegiate fielded the largest crews with nearly 30 rowers apiece entered, while the Union Boating Club sent lesser numbers.

After two big and busy days of heats, WCS crews had won their way into 16 A finals, while AWRC made a remarkable 19, winning eight, finishing second once and third twice.

WCS master of rowing Gus Scott and AWRC president Bruce Osborne were both full of praise for all Whanganui rowers and agreed the performances bodedw ell for the future.

"Congrats to all our boys and girls who performed admirably in their finals showing plenty of promise for the important regattas in 2018," Scott said.

"The coaching staff are pleased with the progress being made and the commitment shown."

Osborne said the performances proved the newly-introduced winter off-water traing programme and the influence of newly-appointed professional coach Pedro Fugeira were working in harmoney.

"There were some standout performances, including young Niamh Monk winning the under-17 girls single scull A final, Luke Watts the senior men's single scull and then teaming with Levi Carroll to win the men's senior double scull. Levi is a real talent and will go far," Osborne said.

"We have also recently received a grant from Kiwi Sport on the back of the newly-introduced Youth Academy programme that involves rowers from Union as well incorportaing the Whanganui Girls College and Cullinane crews. Most of Aramoho's crews are from Whanganui High School and Nga Tawa, but we wouldn't have received any money from Kiwi Sport unless it involved the entire city. The Youth Academy is overseen by Pedro, but couldn't happen without the help from all the other volunteer coaches," Osborne said.

Of the WCS crews the Girls u17 coxed eight - Charlotte McKinlay, Catherine Pearce, Maggie O'Leary-Noyer, Maddie McLean, Lydia MacLean, Madison Gundry, Charlotte Robb, Chloe Lennox and cox Jack Monckton stood out winning their A final, while young Blake Hogan showed his class with and excellent victory in the under-16 boy's single sculls.

The only Union crew to make an A Final was Stephenie Weston and Jayde Hawkes who finished fifth in the girls' under 17 double scull. However, Neo Tichbon caught the eye finishing third in his under-16 single scull heat to miss an A Final spot by less than a second.
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