The 2022 Aoraki regatta was the biggest since its inception 15 years ago. A popular regatta, it is the perfect opportunity for novices to learn to how to race, and this year also saw more Masters rowers attending.
It was good to finally have a regatta where we were able to all mix with each other (with no ropes or barriers) and the atmosphere over the weekend was one of overall friendliness.
The weather started cool and calm on Saturday. The athletes quickly understood how to line up at the start and the regatta flowed smoothly. There was a noticeable improvement in the rowing standard between the Saturday and Sunday. We had a good number of parents new to volunteering at Lake Ruataniwha step forward to be drivers and safety personnel and we look forward to them joining us at other regattas.
Sunday also started cool and calm, but the weather started to blow in small puffs, culminating in a weather change at 1.30pm. The on-water crew efficiently and safely cleared the lake of the two races which had been proceeding to the start. With only nine races to go the regatta was abandoned. There were three capsizes of the weekend which were promptly attended to. Control Commission reported that there were a number of non-complying shoes, and this will need to be monitored at future seasons with having the previous season having been one of self compliance.
The only improvement to the regatta that I could recommend is to review the order of events over the next year as adding in extra Masters races has created conflicts between events.
My thanks go to the officials and volunteers who helped to make this regatta such a success.
Christine Moffat Chief Umpire
