Some young southern rowers have been picked in a South Island squad for a regatta later this week.
And there is some overdue national recognition for a top Otago rowing coach.
Rowing New Zealand yesterday named North and South under-18 squads to race later this week at Lake Karapiro.
Pipi Horan, of Mount Aspiring College, and Sophie Smith, of Dunstan High School, have been picked in the girls squad.
Grayson Small and Henry Kirk, of Otago Boys’ High School, have been selected in the boys squad. Marley King-Smith, of Wakatipu High School, has also been picked in the male squad.
Dunstan High School coach Simon Smith has been selected as the girls scull coach.
He has been coaching at the school and club since 2008 with considerable success.
At last month’s Maadi Cup regatta at Lake Karapiro, eight of the 11 crews coached by Smith picked up medals.
This will be the first time Smith — a keen rower still, who has picked up medals at the national championships in the past — has been involved with a team with Rowing New Zealand.
He has coached at a club and regional level for many years.
Smith is also nominated for coach of the year in this year’s Otago Sports Awards.
