Rainy conditions also meant flat water and this enabled the large 10-hour programme on Saturday to be completed. Competition was strong across all classes with Avon RC (Christchurch) and Dunstan Arm RC (Clyde) battling out for the premier classes. The under-19 event results were spread over schools from throughout the South Island.
Timaru had a large contingent competing with 102 crews starting. This season the club has had a number of masters crews on the water, with previous rowers now coaching and stepping into a boat again.
On Sunday crews from all Timaru schools qualified for finals in both A (44) and B (23) finals. By the end of the day 15 crews had gained placings including first (6), second (4) and third (5). Notable wins include both the women’s novice (L Crawford, S Burton) and under-15 double sculls (H Tairua, P Ward). The Timaru Boys’ under-17 crew again performed well with a clean sweep of the under-17 sculling events; quad sculls (G Talbot, T Bartlett, C Gordon, L O’Sullivan, cox N Brown), double sculls (G Talbot, L O’Sullivan) and single sculls (George Talbot). These boys combined with J Sadler, C Cooper, B Hopa-Parke, H Shearer and cox N Brown, to place third in the under-19 coxed eight.
The next regatta starting on January 31 is the South Island championships. — Christine Moffat
