Wānaka Rowing Club’s masters squad joined competitors from 25 clubs at last weekends South Island Masters Regatta hosted by Nelson Rowing Club, celebrating their 150th anniversary on Lake Rotoiti.
Committee member Lizzie Ritchie said the regatta opened with a frost and moving lake-front ANZAC service.
"The mournful Last Post echoed around the hills encircling Lake Rotoiti.
"Following a two minute silence, over 200 rowers took to the water for the 5km long distance race, starting at the southern-most end of Lake Rotoiti," she said.
Wanaka’s rowers competed strongly in the singles, doubles, pairs, quads and fours during perfect weather conditions on Saturday.
The club came away from the regatta with six first place medals, nine second places, four third places and four fourth place medals.
Ritchie said it is certainly not just about medals.
"Many crew combinations rowed their best races together.
"The squad up at Rotoiti supported one another on and off the water with some very tight turnarounds," she said.
Wānaka rowers who competed at the masters regatta included, Lizzie Ritchie, Sandra Read, Chelsea Lodge, Sandra Binney, Heather Knox, Alanna Brett, Jackie Knight, Vic Schutte, Brit Smith, Jo Underwood, Max Paulin, Elizabeth Lampen Smith, Chris Menzies, AJ Humphries, Shane Gibson, Tristan Hughes.
Rowers are categorised by age from 27 years and upwards.
