Just a few months ago we started as 11 novices who knew nothing about the sport of rowing. Over the past 6 months we have put all our time, effort, committment and dedication into this sport. We train most days together, in the early hours of the morning, on the harbor. When going to a regatta you never know what to expect or how we will go in the races. Last weekend, at the South Island Secondary Schools Championships, everyone had at least one final to race in on Sunday which was a great achievement. The commitment is just as big for us as it is for our parents, they help us with so much and are some of our biggest supporters.  To all of them, we say a massive thank you!

One of our main highlights was interacting with different people from around New Zealand, who had once started their rowing journey as novices, hearing their advice on how to do your best and how to gain the results you so desperately want. This gave us the belief that we can do this and that it is yourself who you have to discipline to make the very best of your own abilities. 

 A lot happens behind the scenes: early mornings, 2km ergs, running, weights, fixing stuff and race plans to name just some of these things. For this we would like to thank our coaches, Dave Hanan and Mike Goldsmith. We owe them, as they have taught us everything we know.

Gaining a spot in a final at the SISS Rowing Regatta was exciting and made all that hard work worth it.  We are excited for what next season will bring!

Results from the SISS Rowing Regatta:

U18 novice double sculls (Brooke and Jordin) - placed 7th in the B Final

U15 coxed octuple sculls (Olivia, Bailey, India, Juno, Brianna, Mia, Charley, Annie, Ashley-cox) - placed 6th in the A Final

U18 novice coxed quad sculls (Annie, Brianna, India, Brooke, Bailey-cox) - placed 6th in the A Final

by Olivia, Brooke and Annie.