Held on the idyllic waters of Lake Ruataniwha in Twizel, the South Island Rowing Championships mark the final major event of the season before the New Zealand Rowing Championships. Therefore, it also marks the last chance for the top rowers in the South Island to battle it out and gain valuable race experience, so competition is certain to be fierce, particularly in the women’s premier singles.
Canterbury Rowing Club: Shannon Cox
Shannon Cox began her rowing journey in 2012 at Whangarei Girls’ High School, competing at her final Maadi Cup in 2015. Specializing in lightweight women’s sculling, she has consistently showcased her ability to compete against heavyweight rowers and achieve outstanding results. Her early successes laid a strong foundation for her rowing career, which began to flourish in 2018 when she represented New Zealand at the Trans-Tasman U21 Regatta in Sydney. There, Cox secured victories in the lightweight women’s double, women’s quad, and women’s eight, demonstrating her versatility and skill on the international stage. She further solidified her reputation during the 2018/19 season with the Southern RPC, earning a national title in the women’s U22 coxless quad, as well as a silver medal in the women’s U22 double. These achievements marked her as a rising star in New Zealand rowing.
In 2022, Cox reached a career milestone, winning her first premier national title in the women’s premier single sculls – a remarkable achievement for a lightweight rower, and one which earned her a coveted red coat. Her success continued into 2023 when she joined the Elite Development Squad and paired with Jackie Kiddle to claim her second premier national title in the women’s premier double sculls. Internationally, the duo’s talent was evident. At the World Rowing Cup III in Lucerne, Switzerland, they finished sixth in the A-Final, a notable result for their first season together. In 2024, Cox competed at the Olympic Games, delivering an impressive performance in the lightweight double sculls, though narrowly missing a medal with a fourth-place finish.
Cox continues to dominate in lightweight and premier sculling events. At Canterbury Champs, she won the premier single sculls by a commanding 12-second margin, further solidifying her reputation as one of the nation’s top rowers. Now rowing out of Canterbury Rowing Club, she is a strong contender for another premier national title at this year’s NZ Rowing Championships, and is certainly a favourite for this year’s South Island Rowing Champs.
Dunstan Rowing Club: Olivia Key
Olivia Key’s name has become synonymous with excellence and versatility in the rowing community, with her achievements resonating across multiple levels of competition. Since starting her rowing journey with Wakatipu High School in 2019, Key has steadily built an impressive resume. Her early promise was evident at the prestigious Maadi Cup, where she achieved third in the girls U16 double sculls. Two years later, she claimed victory in the girls U17 quad at the 2021 Maadi Cup, cementing her position as one to watch. By 2023, she had stepped up again, securing third place in the highly competitive girls U18 double sculls. Her adaptability and resilience across various age groups and events have solidified her reputation as a rising star in New Zealand rowing.
The 2025 Canterbury Championships were a showcase of Key’s prowess. She claimed third in the women’s premier double and later delivered a commanding win in the women’s premier quad. Adding to her regional dominance, the Otago Championships highlighted her ability to maintain top form, with a victory in the women’s open single and two competitive finishes in the women’s open double and quad. Her recent results at last year’s New Zealand Rowing Championships further underline her talent, with second-place finishes in three events, including the women’s senior double and quad. These achievements demonstrate her ability to compete at the highest level in both team and individual events.
Her transition from school rowing into senior competition has been seamless, with each season showcasing her upward trajectory. Whether excelling at the South Island Secondary School Championships, or delivering standout performances at regional and national regattas, Key has proven herself equally adept in sculling and sweeping disciplines. Her dedication and work ethic have resulted in a steady accumulation of accolades, making her a key contender in every regatta she enters. With her track record of outstanding performances and her evident drive, she stands poised to reach even greater heights in the rowing world. She is one to watch for this year’s South Island Rowing Champs.
Prediction
Although Olivia Key and Dunstan clearly have an abundance of talent, it is just a little too difficult to overlook Canterbury and their star rower, Shannon Cox. I think she’ll be taking the win come finals day, though, as always, anything could happen.
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