Clubs race to save boats from floods

The Union Rowing Club shed in Taupo Quay escaped major damage from the flood. PHOTOS/STUART MUNRO 161013WCSMFLOOD24

In an ironic twist, even the sports clubs with boats could not escape the rising floodwaters in the Whanganui River.

Rowing clubsheds on the banks of town side of the river and the Wanganui Motor Boat Club and the Wanganui Multisport and Triathlon Club, that also houses the Canoe Club, all succumbed to the floodwaters. And, while damage was caused to varying degrees, most were forewarned and were able to mitigate damage.

Aramoho Wanganui Rowing Club head coach Ian Weenick said members rallied late Tuesday afternoon to ferry boast and equipment to higher ground before the flood proper hit.

"I'm told this was the highest waters here since 1994 and I wouldn't argue with that. The water got within about three or four steps from the upstairs room," Weenick said yesterday.

"We had enough warning to get the kids down here around 3 or 4pm and they moved all the boats to the upper level. By the time they finished there was no room to move up there. This flood even entered the City College shed and the adjacent Collegiate shed, which is elevated. It's not often, if ever, they've been affected.

"We had a guy sleep upstairs overnight to protect the gear, including the motor boats.

"Looking at it this morning we're in a bit of a pickle and I'd say a bit of money might need to be spent in the clean-up, but any cost is yet to be estimated," Weenick said.

Wanganui Motor Boat Club past commodore and committeeman Bill Gaudin praised the automated Horizons flood alarm system for providing ample warning. "We had time to get in an move fridges and other equipment to a higher level in the lower floor, but looking at the water level this morning and I don't think we moved them high enough," Gaudin said.

"There is a mark on the wall that shows the levels of the 2004 flood and it looks to me to be at a similar or even higher. We managed to get our tractors to the roadside and away from danger.

"Silt was the major problem in 2004, but this time it looks to be just water, so hopefully a good hose out with detergent will fix it," he said.

The Multisports and Triathlon Club 100m up river from the motor boat shed, was also metres deep in water and appeared to sitting in a lake early yesterday morning.

The shed also houses the Wanganui Canoe Club and president Barry Hurley said it appeared about of metre of water had entered the shed.

"It certainly wasn't as bad as the 1990 event. I recall canoeing down Boydfield St and along Anzac Parade to see the club shed back then," Hurley said.

"The Horizons system also alerted us and we managed to lift all our expensive gear up more than a metre, so it looks like that's be safe. But we haven't been able to get inside at this stage to gauge just how much of an impact the flood has had."

Union Rowing Club captain and NZ Rowing Association board member Bob Evans said the Horizons alarm system also forewarned members who were able to rally and clear the bottom deck of the Taupo Quay shed.

"We were able to clear all the boats from the bottom racks, so there was no damage to any of the boats, but the wall linings will be sodden and they may need to be replaced. The pontoon was damaged in the high waters two weeks ago and were further affected last night, so that will need reinstating as well. We're not too badly off and I think the Aramoho sheds were probably worst affected. We will need to spend a bit of money, though," Evans said.