All eyes were on Ruataniwha as the South Island Champions were crowned last weekend. Competitors from across NZ – Auckland (West End RC) to Riverton – joined us in Twizel for what has been the biggest regatta on the calendar so far this season and under restrictions imposed by the ‘red’ settings of the Traffic Light System.
The Meridian Rowing Centre saw a few logistical changes implemented to ensure the safety of all competitors while under the red setting, including dividing participants into zones of no more than 100 people and access via vehicle only. This was well received by the rowing teams, particularly those along the edge of the race course who enjoyed being able to watch racing from their zones.
Chief Umpire Vanessa McIver summarises the weekend:
Well what a great regatta. The covid team did a brilliant job, ensuring all the right things were put in place, to allow this event to happen. Secondly, couldn’t happen without all the volunteers putting their hand up to help. They all ensured the regatta ran so smoothly for the two days.
We had a slight delay with wind at the end of the program on Saturday and wind at the start of Sunday but 80% of the regatta was stinking hot weather and picture glass water.
So great to see the North Island crews do well and grab some medals.
A big thanks also goes to the rowers for keeping their areas clean, abiding by the rules and also limiting the amount of gatherings after the regatta days in the community as there was some nervousness, but as a whole the community loves having the rowing fraternity here and we very much look forward to the Nationals in a couple of weeks.
Trophy winners:
| Event | Trophy | Club | Crew |
|---|---|---|---|
| W CLUB 2- | Solveig Macrae Trophy | Avon | C Kinder, S Pahlen |
| M CLUB 2- | Ted Lindstrom Memorial Trophy | St Bedes | L Hickling, M Glen |
| W CLUB 1X | Colin & Barbara Gill Trophy | Cure | L Sim |
| W CLUB 1X | Colin & Barbara Gill Trophy | Dunstan Arm | H Wilkinson |
| W NOV 8+ | Twizel Community Trophy | Rangi Ruru Girls’ School | S Brown, E Coates, C O’Reilly, I Ward, A Willis, S Parker, H Abbott, I Jones + S O’Shannessey |
| M NOV 8+ | Ruataniwha Trophy | Oamaru | L Wright, Z Goodsir, H Weir, F Strang, C Marshall, J Rogers, S Hay, L McLaren + H Robinson |
| W OPEN 8+ | C Saunders Trophy | Rangi Ruru Girls’ School | G Bethell, N Vance, A Wallis, P Wallis, C Muir, H Lill, P Porter, A Reid + A Wynn-Williams |
| M OPEN 8+ | CE Saunders Trophy | Avon | S Shackleton, O Fahey, M White, H Pethers-Boak, S Horgan, T Cummack, O Taylor, W Johnston + G Fuller |
| M OPEN 2- | Mike McClelland Trophy | Avon | F Watson, W Gilbert |