Canterbury and Olympic rowing personality dies suddenly

James Sheehan (left) with Des Borgfeldt and Jim Little.
James Sheehan (left) with Des Borgfeldt and Jim Little.
Well known Canterbury rowing identity James Sheehan has died suddenly.

The Canterbury Rowing Association and Union Rowing Club life member died on Monday of a heart attack. He was in his early 60s.

Mr Sheehan was dedicated to supporting rowing in Canterbury and sat on a number of boards.

Union Rowing Club president Dorle Pauli said Mr Sheehan has done a lot for the rowing community and his death "leaves a huge gap".

"It will take a very long time to list everything he has done for rowing in Canterbury, for New Zealand, for South Island rowing," she said.

Ms Pauli said earlier this month he had been volunteering at one of the Union Rowing Club's social regattas.

"Whatever the occasion he would be there ... it is hard to find a volunteer with that dedication."

Ms Pauli described Mr Sheehan as having "a big booming voice" with so much authority and someone who had many connections.

"He will be sadly missed, he leaves a huge gap."

Union Rowing Club life member Brent Mirfin said Mr Sheehan was a "larger than life" character in rowing.

"He was very much at the forefront for Canterbury and South Island rowing and did a lot of work for the South Island Rowing Association."

Mr Sheehan's life-long association with rowing started as a spectator.

He watched crews from the riverbank across the road from his childhood home on Locksley Ave in Dallington.

One day a boat stopped and they needed a coxswain.

Mr Sheehan jumped in and visited the club that night. He was there every night thereafter.

At secondary school, Mr Sheehan coxed for the Union Rowing Club but also rowed for St Bede's College until his coxing career was curtailed.

He held many offices in the Canterbury Rowing Association. At 32-years-old he was the youngest ever recipient of the NZ Rowing Association service jacket - an award that recognises his outstanding contribution to rowing administration.

He was a colts team manager in the late 1980s before moving to manage elite teams.

In 2003, he was an assistant manager for the World Cup team before managing the NZ Olympic team to Athens in 2004.

Mr Sheehan has officiated New Zealand regattas since 1978, first as a starter and then as an umpire.

His unpaid contribution to rowing was recognised with a Rowing NZ Volunteer of the Year award in 2012.

Mr Sheehan was also a volunteer at the 2010 World Rowing Championships and commentated the Coast To Coast multisport event.