As we approach the pinnacle of the 2024/25 New Zealand rowing season – the New Zealand Rowing Championships – we have one last major event for crews to battle it out and determine the pecking order. So, who are the main contenders in the men’s premier quads?
Dunstan Rowing Club
The Dunstan Rowing Club men’s premier quad, featuring Angus Kenny, Jack Pearson, Henry Clatworthy, and Matthew O’Meara, and coached by Simon Smith, has solidified its place as a dominant force in New Zealand sculling. The crew has had a few changes over the last couple of seasons but seems to be dominant nonetheless. Over the past two seasons, they have consistently proven themselves near unbeatable in the senior and premier quad categories. Since a second-place finish as a composite crew at the Christmas Regatta back in December 2023, they have gone on to win nearly every final they have entered. Their season highlights include a senior quad title at the National Championships, demonstrating the crew’s exceptional cohesion and ability to perform under pressure. This season, they have clocked a best time of 6:19 on Twizel’s waters, while their previous season-best stands at a remarkable 6:06.
Angus Kenny has emerged as the cornerstone of the crew. Widely regarded as the best single sculler in the team, Kenny has claimed victory in every premier and open single scull final this season, alongside numerous wins in doubles and quads. His experience representing New Zealand in the U23 squad further underlines his elite standing in the sport. Jack Pearson, another U23 World Rowing Championship representative, adds considerable strength to the crew. He also partners with Kenny in the double scull, forming an undefeated pairing this season, and his technical ability and consistency make him a critical asset to the quad. Matthew O’Meara, a standout sculler from his time at John McGlashan College, contributes his junior-level success to the crew, including a bronze in the U18 single scull and gold in the U18 double scull at the Maadi Cup. His sculling pedigree complements the strength of the team.
Simon Smith, the mastermind behind Dunstan’s success, has coached the crew to remarkable achievements. Training on Lake Dunstan above the Clyde Dam, Smith’s sculling expertise has built a consistently dominant team. Dunstan has swept the podium in various events this season, taking the top three positions in the premier single, open double, and premier double categories. The quad has gone undefeated in their races this season, and the club regularly finishes first and second at regattas across the South Island.
As they approach the South Island Championships and NZ Rowing Nationals, the Dunstan quad is a strong favourite to secure the premier quad title if they opt to race as a crew instead of entering the draft individually. Their unmatched technical skills, synchronized teamwork, and track record of dominance make them a force to be reckoned with and the crew to beat in any race they enter.
Avon Rowing club
Although this crew is currently in the seat racing trial period, they have nearly finalized their lineup for the South Island Club Championships. At the recent Canterbury Championships, Avon entered two quads, and made adjustments throughout the regatta to determine their best combination. Despite this, they were highly competitive, finishing just one second behind Dunstan’s second crew. The likely line-up for South Island Champs includes Sam Wilson, Scott Shackleton, Jimmy Middleditch, and Joshua Clark, an impressive group of scullers with strong resumes.
Starting with Scott Shackleton, he gained attention during the 2019 Maadi Cup, where he delivered an extraordinary performance, winning gold in every event he entered. Representing Christchurch Boys’ High School, he claimed victory in the boys U18 eight, U17 single, U17 double, and U17 eight. His dominance made him one of the standout performers of that regatta. In 2020, at the South Island Secondary Schools Championships the next year, he continued his success by winning gold in nearly every event he entered, with the exception of the boys U18 eight, where his crew finished second. Sadly, they didn’t get to compete at the Maadi Cup that year, as it was cancelled. Shackleton is a decorated sculler, a leader within the crew, and a critical piece of Avon’s challenge to Dunstan.
Another key member of the crew is Jimmy Middleditch. Middleditch is a talented and rapid sculler who served as a travelling reserve for the U19 New Zealand team. At the 2023 Maadi Cup, he won silver in the boys U18 quad and narrowly missed the podium in the boys U18 single in 2024, finishing fourth. As part of the growth of Cashmere and Avon Rowing in recent years, he has gained valuable experience in open and premier events, achieving solid results, such as fifth in the Premier Single and second in the quad at the Canterbury Champs. His competitive pedigree and consistency will contribute significantly to Avon’s performance.
Avon Rowing Club trains on the Avon River in Christchurch, a narrow and challenging stretch of water that contrasts sharply with Dunstan’s spacious training waters. Despite this disadvantage, Avon boasts a strong program built on a rich history. Over the years, they have developed depth by recruiting national champions, Maadi Cup winners, and a plethora of technically skilled scullers. The program has been shaped by Logan Keys and several international coaches who have elevated the club’s performance standards.
Prediction
While Avon’s crew has immense talent and potential, they face the challenge of limited time to gel as a unit compared to Dunstan, whose athletes have been training together for longer. Nevertheless, Avon remains a formidable contender, capable of producing an upset if their athletes deliver on the day.
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