Rowers battle strong wind and tide

The open men's coxed eight final with Aramoho-Wanganui Rowing Club's No 1 crew leading. PHOTO/BEVAN CONLEY

The Whanganui River was not in the most agreeable mood but despite a disrupted afternoon there was still a chance for more than 530 rowers to get their summer season under way at the Aon Jury Cup Regatta.

With 56 races planned including division qualifiers and then the A Finals, the high winds kicking up by lunchtime made the water currents of the river, changed since the June floods, too rough for competition on the far side of the course near the left banks.

Organisers had hoped the situation might have improved after the tide changed, but unfortunately it got even rougher, leading to 29 races being cancelled.

By 2.45pm it was decided the final races to uphold club honour would be the open coxed eight for men's and women's crews.

The Wellington RC won the women's race of three boats, ahead of Star RC and the local Wanganui Collegiate crew.

In front of their clubrooms, Aramoho-Wanganui RC's No 1 crew, stroked by Luke Watts, took out the men's race in a strong field of seven crews from Whanganui, Hawke's Bay and Wellington.

It was one of three victories for the club on the day, who also took out the men's open coxless four and the girls Under 17 coxless four. Collegiate were winners in the girls Under 17 coxed eight.

AWRC's Jackie Gowler also teamed with Beth Ross to win the women's open coxless pair final, representing Central RPC. In total there were 13 teams representing clubs, rowing programmes and the Rowing NZ summer squad, who entered the regatta.