This year we had 14 girls attend the Maadi Cup Regatta at Lake Karapiro. This is one of the biggest events held for New Zealand Secondary Schools Sports with more than 2150 athletes competing.

Congratulations to the U15 Four crew of Izzy Gallagher, Siena Snow, Maddy Sullivan, Elyse Davey and Ella Herbert (cox) in gaining a Bronze Medal. This was an awesome effort as four of the girls are first year rowers and Siena is in her second year.

The U16 Four of Antonia Bachop, Niamh Paterson, Siena Snow, Amelia Findlater and Ella Herbert (cox) also gained an A Final spot. The U18 Pair, U18 Four and Novice Four all gained B Finals with the crews securing 2 x 2nd and a 3rd respectively. 

This meant the above five crews gained top ten positions in New Zealand which for the size of our squad is fantastic.

The girls should be extremely proud of how they competed through the week, and the way they responded to circumstances with compassion and respect.

A special thank you to our coaches, Matt and Nat, our parent helpers Tracy and Grant, along with club members and organisers Lynne and Craig. The girls were lucky enough to be shown through the New Zealand Rowing team’s shed by Ruby Tew, a NZ Rowing team member. Another highlight for the girls, no doubt, was pizza and cheesecake for the last night.

Also a thank you to all the Columba supporters who made the trip north, and John McGlashan Rowing for your support and sharing of the Tent.

We wish Amber Cunningham, Ellen Foley, and Nakita Horne all the best as they finish Columba College Rowing after four successful seasons.

Rowing is a great sport to join, benefits include fitness, friendship, discipline and time management. Anyone interested in rowing next season please register your interest with Dayna Turnbull, Sports Director of Columba College.

Thank you also to Sharron Bennett from Sharron Bennett Photography for taking some wonderful photographs of the rowers at the Maadi Cup Regatta.