Participating in sport in the current environment is a significant challenge, even more so when attending out of town events involving overnight stays.

That said with some changes to arrangements and a lot of scrutiny, a plan was formulated that allowed us to attend the Meridian South Island Junior Rowing Regatta last weekend. A big thank you to Jon McDowall and Gerry Davidson for their assistance in providing a framework and guidance for this trip to proceed given the current situation with Covid infections on the rise.

This Meridian Junior Regatta was an U18 event and involved both club and school competitors. Conditions were great for both days of racing with light winds, flat water and sufficient cloud cover to avoid being roasted. For a small squad of 27 we made 17 A Finals, which was a terrific result. Whilst placings are of course our target, this regatta was vital in assisting us to identify what work and preparation is required, ahead of the South Island Secondary School Champs on March 11-13.

Personal bests were also achieved in the Single Sculls by Harison Staples, Layton Carr and Neil Kamat.

Full results can be found at http://rowit.nz/sijc2022/results?cn=stbd

1st Place

Boys U17 Coxed Eight Josh Hamer, Sam Woodgate, Jack Dennehy-Coles, Luke Hickling, Thomas Woodgate, Matthew Glen, Sam Earl, Layton Carr, Max Walsh

Boys U16 Coxed Four Josh Hamer, Luke Hickling, Thomas Woodgate, Matthew Glen, Max Walsh

Boys U17 Coxed Four Sam Woodgate, Jack Dennehy-Coles, Luke Hickling Sam Earl, Liam Duff

Boys U17 Coxless Pairs Oars Matthew Glen, Luke Hickling

Boys U15 Coxed Four Quinn O’Sullivan, Herman van Herel, Bruno Dooley, Harry Cournane, Dom Morgan

2nd Place

Boys U18 Nov Coxed Eight Quinn O’Sullivan, Herman van Herel, Sam Mc Afee, Joseph Fitzgerald, Bede Giera, CJ Moore, Bruno Dooley, Harry Cournane, Dom Morgan

Boys U18 Nov Coxed Four Sam Mc Afee, Joseph Fitzgerald, Bede Giera, Joseph Miguel-Brown, Dom Morgan

3rd Place

Boys U18 Coxed Four Jaimie Warren, Joseph Miguel-Brown, Ollie Ellenbroek, Harry Cournane, Finn O’Kane

Boys U17 Coxless Pair Oars Sam Woodgate, Jack Dennehy-Coles

As we head towards the end of our season with just the South Island Secondary Schools and Maadi Cup Regattas left on the calendar, we want to acknowledge the tremendous support of all of our sponsors supporters and volunteers: Schick Construction, H3 Builders, Calder Stewart, TDM Electrical, The Rowdy Kitchen, Roger and Karen; our parent helpers who do everything from driving, food prep, washing, photography house parents; and the rowing committee for all the work that they have done. Without the support and contribution the St Bede’s rowers would not be able to compete and deliver the results that they are achieving.