Aramoho seniors shine

The medal-winning Aramoho Wanganui rowing squad is poised for a bold showing at the National Club Championships at Lake Karapiro next week. The squad is (from back left) Jack van Bussel, Ella Cvitanovich, Gus Pawson, Kayla Spencer, Sammy Murphy, Georgia Kendall. (Middle) Ian Weenik (coach), Jamie O'Keefe, Heather Gee Taylor, Patrick Reynolds, Logan Campbell, Adrian van Bussel, Nicole Millar, Jackie Gowler, Georgia Nugent O'Leary, Savanna Gaskell, Luke Watts, Tyler Scott, Martyn O'Leary. (Front) Kate Dawson, Hugh Pawson and Tom Monaghan. Photo/Supplied

Confidence is running high for the upcoming National Club Championships after the Aramoho Wanganui senior rowing squad returned from the North Island Club Championships at the weekend with two gold and nine silver medals.

A squad of 20 rowers competed against the best of the North Island clubs at lake Karapiro with all crews landing podium finishes.

Head coach Ian Weenick said the entire squad excelled and he was excited about Aramoho Wanganui's prospects at next week's national club championships.

"Every one of them were standouts. It was a long weekend with all crews winning their heats in fast times, so it was a bit of a shame some of them had to settle for silver. There were some tired rowers by the end of the regatta," Weenick said yesterday.

Gold medals went to Luke Watts in the men's senior singles and Kayla Spencer, Sammy Murphy, Jackie Gowler, Georgia Nugent O'Leary and coxswain Savannah Gaskel in the women's club four.

The men's club four, senior four, U22 singles, club four and senior pairs came away with silver medals during a day of extremely close and exciting finishes.

"Luke [Watts] was unlucky not to win the U22 singles - he was only just pipped," Weenick said.

The women's club pair, club four, U19 four and women's eight also collected silver giving the gold medallists a run for their money in all races.

"You've got to remember our squad was up against some of the best club rowers in the country."

The squad is now in final preparations for the nationals staring next Tuesday and running through to the following Saturday.

Also over the weekend just gone the Wanganui Championships were held on the Whanganui River. Aramoho Wanganui also had some great results from the younger rowers coming away with eight gold medals throughout the day.

Wanganui Collegiate School crews won five finals and placed in numerous other events.