With one of the most scenic backdrops for rowing in the world, the New Zealand Rowing Championships will once again be contested on the glistening blue waters of Lake Ruataniwha. With silverware and prestigious titles on the line, the pinnacle of any New Zealand club rower’s season is undoubtedly the NZ Championships. Contested over the coming week, it will finally be time to showcase all that has gone into this year.
The women’s coxless quads traditionally boast a highly competitive field, with strong rowers who have just finished their U18 seasons joining clubs throughout the country. With many eyeing their former crewmates and competitors, this promises to be one of the most tightly contested events of the regatta.
Dunstan Arm Rowing Club
No doubt the favourites coming into this regatta off the back of a successful South Island Championships, this crew has been in a tight fight with Canterbury Rowing Club. Although times can vary significantly between Karapiro and Ruataniwha, the Dunstan crew managed to put an almost 20-second lead into the winners of the coxless quad on the North Island.
While times should be taken with a pinch of salt, if the conditions were anything remotely similar, the South Island quads may have an almost insurmountable lead. Backed up by a young rower, Breen, who won the U16 double at the Maadi Regatta and was the South Island champion in the highly competitive U17 quad and double, this crew has experience in winning national-level titles. With the three other quad members in their respective provincial teams, this quad performs at the very top of club-level rowing.
Canterbury Rowing Club
Finishing in a tight second place behind Dunstan Arm, this Canterbury quad has no shortage of experience either. The bow pair of Winyard and Rees were champions of the South Island in the premier quad, so clearly have no problem punching above their weight. Strengthened by Winyard‘s UK experience at Durham University, Canterbury will be looking to close the gap on Dunstan this week and hold their lead on the defending champion, Waikato.
With several of the crew having been selected for their provincial teams, there is plenty of experience to take them over the line; it’s just a matter of whether they can lay it out on the course this week. At the Canterbury Championships, Canterbury finished four seconds ahead of Dunstan, so, in the back of their minds, will know they have the speed to beat Dunstan.
Waikato Rowing Club
Defending champions in the women’s club quad, the North Island’s silver medallists have excellent potential here. With one of their strongest squads in recent history, Waikato will be looking to win both the women’s and men’s quads. With the young North Island junior Barnard on board, Waikato has one of the most promising scullers in the North Island in their boat. Consistently in the medal positions this season, Waikato placed third at the Christmas Regatta and second in the North Island Rowing Championships. With their time in the heat being half a second slower than the eventual winners, Waikato will look to step up and do one better in the final regatta of the season. Traditionally a powerhouse in this event, we may see another Waikato victory in the quad this week.
Predictions
It is very difficult to look past the Dunstan Arm crew, which has been so strong this season. With their wealth of experience in that boat, I expect them to be in a tight tussle with the Canterbury crew. Waikato will likely be slightly behind in third place.
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