Ashburton Rowing Club: Gerard Wall
Gerard Wall, representing Ashburton Rowing Club, hails from a family steeped in rowing tradition. His sister, Veronica Wall, is a celebrated New Zealand elite rower, with records in single sculling, having competed at multiple World Junior Championships and rowing for Yale University. His other sister, Isabel Wall, is a national champion and para-rower, while his father, Justin Wall, is a prominent coach in Ashburton who has guided countless rowers, including his own family, to remarkable success. With this foundation, Gerard has inherited both the passion and pedigree to excel in rowing.
As an individual athlete, Gerard exemplifies dedication and perseverance. He balances his medical studies at the University of Otago with a rigorous rowing schedule, competing for the university in both national and international events. Highlights of his university career include winning the premier eight in 2023 and a third-place finish in 2024. His achievements extend internationally, having raced in China against prestigious crews such as Oxford, securing victory in the eight. Beyond university rowing, Gerard represented New Zealand in the U21 Trans-Tasman team. He was a part of the Waikato National Development team, training under the legendary coach Dick Tonks in Waikato, where he achieved impressive results, including winning the premier quad at the North Island Rowing Championships and going sub-6 on his 2k ergo. His diverse club affiliations include: Dunstan, Waikato, and Ashburton. This demonstrates his adaptability and ability to excel in different rowing environments.
Currently, Wall is working his way up the competitive ranks in the men’s open and premier single sculls. While he may not yet be at the top of the field, his physical endurance, power, and determination make him a potential dark horse in this event. His victory in the senior single at last year’s South Island Champs proves he has what it takes to succeed. Not only that, his fearless racing approach could yield surprising results. With a continued focus on premier-level racing and a bold, aggressive strategy, Wall has the potential to make a significant impact in the single-scull category.
Dunstan Rowing Club: Jack Pearson
Jack Pearson began his rowing career as a novice at Whakatipu Boys High School, where he initially struggled to achieve strong results. Despite these early challenges, Pearson’s determination and commitment during the winter season led to noticeable improvement. He secured victories in two events and a second-place finish, marking the beginning of his success in sculling. His breakthrough came at the 2019 Maadi Cup, where he claimed his first national title in the U15 double sculls. His decision to transfer to John McGlashan College provided him with further opportunities to refine his skills and elevate his performance.
After high school, Pearson joined Dunstan Rowing Club, where his development continued. At the New Zealand Nationals, he won the men’s club double and earned second place in the men’s club quad during his debut. Progressing to the senior division the following season, Pearson excelled with victories in the senior double and a runner-up finish in the senior quad. His consistent performances earned him a spot in the premier quad at the national level. While he narrowly missed U19 New Zealand team selection, his resilience and growth paid off when he made the U21 national team. His success in the inter-provincial team, where he placed in three out of five open events, further highlighted his capabilities.
Currently, Pearson has solidified himself as a dominant force at Dunstan. His impressive performances in the premier division, and his recent sub-six-minute 2k underscore his potential as a future star. His selection to the men’s U23 squad and strong showing in the U23 quad against tough competition further reflect his upward trajectory. Studying law at the University of Otago, Jack has also demonstrated his ability to balance academics with high-performance rowing. Racing alongside his teammate Angus Kenny, with whom he has secured numerous victories in the double and quad, Pearson has shown that he is a formidable competitor. In the single scull, he remains close behind Kenny and has the potential to surpass him with a calculated strategy, particularly in the decisive third 500. With his work ethic, strategic mindset, and proven results, Jack Pearson is well-positioned to become a future representative for New Zealand on the international stage.
Prediction
Only one thing seems a near certainty: the top step will be held by Dunstan. The real question is which rower from the club will be standing there. Though Jack Pearson evidently has the power and skill to be victorious, he would still have to make up the three second gap to Angus Kenny to do so. Unfortunately, that may be slightly too much.
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