Cromwell Rowing Club coach Natalie Wilson said the new event was born of the success of the Corporate Quads Rowing Challenge, a six week rowing event involving Central Otago businesses that started in 2013.
That incorporated a popular indoor rowing event, out of which this new challenge grew. Dunstan Arm Rowing Club coach Simon Smith said indoor rowing, on machines, still involved the same movements and strength required for rowing on water, but without the ''technical stuff''.
''It's good thing for people to have a go and see if it's [rowing] for them.''
The event, to be held at The Terrace School hall in Alexandra on October 9, was open to anyone, including high school pupils, sports teams and workplaces, and people could enter as individuals or in a team, with junior, open, and masters categories.
Winners of the Alexandra event would take part in the ''battle of the towns'' final at the Cromwell event at Goldfields School hall on October 16, Mrs Wilson said.
Funds raised at the events would go towards both rowing clubs for new equipment, such as new boats.
