SPORT Rowing
MiC: Henry Smith Manager: Chris Sellars Coaches: Malcolm McIntyre, Will Satch, Andrew Taylor, Jimmy Healey, Liam O’Leary, Nathan Luff The 2020–21 rowing season will live long in the minds of those involved. It was a season filled with new experiences, norms and firsts as we learnt to live and operate under the parameters placed on us because of Covid-19. However, more importantly, it might also be remembered for the final race of the season – the race that stopped a school and rewrote the record books for the most comprehensive winning margin by a crew in recent Maadi Cup history. Once again, the early season focus was taken off ‘winning’ and, instead, placed on development and accountability. With a strong group of U18s, the coaching team aimed to build on the previous season’s experience and integrated the U17s into a “senior squad” system consisting of both. Each session, the boys were boated in different combinations and these crews were trained side by side to simulate racing conditions. This aimed to promote healthy competition among the boys, as well as develop a skilled group who could adapt to rowing in different boats. The racing season began in November, with the annual Pennant regattas returning to Kerr’s Reach after being held in Ashburton for most of the past decade. It was a welcome opportunity for the club to hold its open day and welcome friends and families into the shed for a look while also watching some fun and friendly racing. The club also took the opportunity to run mixed eight crews with St Margaret’s
College, ensuring much laughter as the crews ‘battled’ for victory and bragging rights. The first major regatta of the season – the Otago Championships – was preceded by a training camp in Twizel, offering the first opportunity to test the boys and determine where they ranked. In keeping with the philosophy of development and accountability, College crews competed in a wide variety of events, including the open men’s classes – leading to excellent early racing. Unfortunately, the weather did not play its part and after a week of calm water, the regatta managed half a day of racing on Saturday before being abandoned on Sunday. Up next was the Canterbury Championships regatta, with a January training camp helping to “shake” the boys out of their holiday mentality and reawaken their training desire. The boys worked exceedingly hard, going on to achieve several top results, including a resounding win in heat one by the open men’s eight and an encouraging performance by the U17 eight in the U19 division. Unfortunately, the weather again decided not to play ball and after a promising first day of racing, the regatta was abandoned on Sunday. The following week the boys were back in Twizel for the South Island Championships. Finally, the weather gods were with us. Several good performances were recorded across the club, with resounding wins from the U16 eight, U17 four and U18 four. The U18 eight again competed in the open men’s grade. After a win in heat one, the boys followed up with a comprehensive performance in the final, winning by more than five seconds.
Buoyed by the performances, the boys returned to the Kerr’s Reach boat shed more focused and determined. The South Island Secondary Schools’ regatta was the next big target. It was the first time that the entire boat club had planned to attend a regatta this season, with 90 boys descending on Twizel. However, this proved not to be the case. Just 48 hours before departure, the South Island moved to Alert Level 2 and, under Rowing New Zealand rules, regattas were not allowed. It was a big disappointment for many junior boys, who missed out on the opportunity to compete in 2021. The Maadi squad still travelled to Twizel to complete its camp. With the regatta cancellation, the camp was rearranged to allow for inter-squad racing – in spectacular weather and water conditions – prior to the Maadi Cup regatta. The 2021 New Zealand Secondary Schools’ Rowing Championships – or Maadi Cup regatta – will be remembered for a myriad of reasons, from wonderful rowing to winning medals, through the challenges of getting the boys to Hamilton without going through Auckland because of Alert Level 2. College won six medals – three bronze, two silver and one gold. On top of winning these medals, 49 College boys competed in either an A or B final during the regatta – the largest number of boys ever to experience rowing in an A or B final. The Monday and Tuesday of ‘Maadi week’ are designated heats days, and also days of stress, with some fields having more than 75 schools entered. Depending on your heat result, crews could be eliminated from the regatta. Needless to say, the pressure was on the boys.
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Register 2021 Sport
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