Nothing says ‘regatta weekend’ like a 6pm boat de-rig and trailer load up at the North End Rowing Club on a balmy Thursday evening. True to form, the King's crew got on with the job, enjoyed much banter, and were commended for their teamwork and respectful attitudes working amongst the Masters crew. Arriving at Twizel on a sizzling Friday afternoon, the King's crew made light work of re-rigging the boats for their final water session before racing commenced the following day.

Saturday was ‘Heat’ day; with a high of 29° and the sun blazing, the King's crew arrived early to set up, prep for the day, and get on with racing… and race they did:

1. Boys Under 16 Double Sculls:

Heat 1: Ethan Shirley / Ashton Macnee

3rd (8:10.41) into the A Final

Heat 2: Villie Steenkamp / Edward Hager

8th (8:39.22)

Heat 3: Gabe Scott / Harry Lyons

7th (8:31.77)

2. Men’s Club Single Sculls:

Heat 2: Alex McKeever

7th (8:13.24)

3. Men’s Novice Double Sculls:

Heat 2: Ethan Shirley / Ashton Macnee

1st (7:54.67) into the A Final

4. Boys U17 Coxed Quad Sculls:

Heat 1: Harry Lyons / Ethan Shirley / Ashton Macnee / Alex McKeever / Edward Hager (coxswain)

9th (7:51.80) into the A Final

5. Men’s Intermediate Double Sculls:

Heat 2: Gabe Scott / Villie Steenkamp

7th (8:20.65) into the B Final

6. Boys U17 Single Sculls:

Heat 1: Alex McKeever

6th (8:23.00) into the B Final

After a very successful day of intense heats (and heat), it was off to the local lagoon for a much-needed swim, then back to the farm for a well-earned BBQ and early night.

Sunday was a much cooler finals Day. Once again, another early start for the King's crew who arrived ready to leave it all out there on the water and row themselves proud. All the crews made impressive improvements from their times on Saturday and supported each other to get the very best out of each other:

1. Boys Under 16 Double Sculls:

A Final: Ethan Shirley / Ashton Macnee

9th (8:11.28) (tactical move… well-orchestrated)

2. Men’s Novice Double Sculls:

A Final: Ethan Shirley / Ashton Macnee

3rd (7:39.50) (quads… on fire)

3. Boys U17 Coxed Quad Sculls:

A Final: Harry Lyons / Ethan Shirley / Ashton Macnee / Alex McKeever / Edward Hager (coxswain)

9th (7:34.97) (huge time improvement… the coxswain was on fire)

4. Men’s Intermediate Double Sculls:

B Final: Gabe Scott / Villie Steenkamp

8th (8:00.39) (last minute call up and dropped another 20 seconds… smashed it)

5. Boys U17 Single Sculls:

B Final: Alex McKeever

3rd (8:05.71) (that final push was insane… powered home)

Congratulations to Ethan Shirley and Ashton Macnee who made their first podium. A successful regatta is only possible with the support of the those who surround our crew:

Coach: Hayden George (King's Old Boy): knows what it means to be a ‘Kingsman’.

Regatta House Parents: Jo and Jamie Lyons. Thank you for sharing Omahau Downs with the boys; an absolute privilege for them to receive your hospitality.

Crew Parents: "We bring a diverse skill set to this Team which enables our boys to achieve great things together. We also have more laughs and fabulous ideas than any ‘front row’ marquee."

To all our rowers, we are so proud of how you conducted yourselves on and off the water this weekend. You rowed with heart and left nothing in the tanks; you ate and hydrated like champions; you supported each other with enough banter and hijinks to seal these friendships for life. Next stop… South Island Secondary School Champs… let the training block begin!

BTW… If you’re reading this thinking you might want ‘in’ on the King's High School Rowing action, please speak with Mr Bannister who will put you in contact with the right people. We are always looking for more crew, including a coxswain (really great role if you like telling your mates what to do).

In this issue

Steeplechase U18 Champs