That lesson paid off for Columba College rower Charli Sinclair (14) at the national championships at Lake Ruataniwha yesterday.
Sinclair and schoolmate Grace Heath (15) won the women’s novice double sculls final in 8min 9.87sec.
It was 14 years since Fiona Bourke, competing for Otago University, won the same event.
Bourke, who went on to win a world title and compete at the London Olympics and is now the Otago-Southland and Auckland regions pathways coach for Rowing New Zealand, was coached by Charli’s dad, Glen, and was also Charli’s babysitter.
"Fiona was in the rescue boat on the finish line to watch the final after giving the girls plenty of great advice during the week," Glen Sinclair said.
"Fiona was possibly more nervous than anyone."
Columba College rowers, coached by Matt Adam, Kaylin Wren and Saskia Klinkenberg, have had a good week with a small squad.
Apart from the Sinclair-Heath gold, the novice four of Sinclair, Briar Duncan, Ciara Patterson, Hannah O’Neill and cox Isabella Davey won silver, and the intermediate coxed four of Duncan, Patterson, Sara Reynolds, Jendi Minty and Davey won bronze.
Topping off an excellent day on the water yesterday, Columba rowers Millie Scott (16) and Bridgette Sutton (15) were a close second in the women’s club pair, a fine effort for two youngsters.
