Our rowers were on the water from March 15-16 at the North Island Secondary Schools' (NISS) Rowing competition at Lake Karapiro where they qualified for 13 finals from 29 events.

NISS Rowing Championships was to be the penultimate regatta of the season for the rowers and a chance for them to showcase six months of hard training and dedication to camps, early mornings and long weekends.

Often used as a final launching platform, this regatta is the last chance for rowers to fine-tune race preparations and leave no stone unturned in terms of Maadi Cup preparations.

All the crews had been hot seated, and seat raced for months on end to ensure maximal boat speed and medal-winning potential was on display. The season was at a plateau, and the rowers were peaking in fine form.

Friday morning started with an early start for St Paul's rowers with a few of our single scullers taking part in the heats before the bigger boats raced shortly after lunch. Saturday was a gruelling day in the hot sun as our rowers continued flying the flag and racing hard in the semi-finals before heading home for a much-needed rest after two days of toil in preparation for the finals on Sunday.

Parents and rowers came out in their numbers for a great day of New Zealand NISS racing. St Paul's was supported by Mr Hay and Mr Lander in our 10 A finals and 3 B Finals which we were able to convert into five medals.

Sadly, within a short time, we learned of the cancellation of the 2020 Maadi Cup regatta. Therefore, the performances on the water at the NISS regatta became even more special to those rowers who sadly will not have the opportunity of rowing for these secondary school again as they are in Year 13. St Paul's Rowing Club is very proud of the efforts of all the rowers over the duration of this past season and thank each of them for giving their all for their chosen sport. Also to the coaches, managers, committee members, and supporters of the Club – our sincere thanks for giving the students this wonderful opportunity.

The following were our medal winners at the NISS 2020 regatta:

The Boys Novice Eight (8+) won Bronze

Hugh Kennedy

Dylan Thomas

James Waddell

Matthew Waddell

Fred Coxhead

Riley Wills

Hetekia Te Ua

Will Milne

Sam Ward

The Boys Novice Four (4+) won Bronze

Hugh Kennedy

James Waddell

Gane Harbutt

Will Milne

Fred Phillips

The Boys U15 Eight (8+) won Bronze

Hugh Kennedy

Dylan Thomas

James Waddell

Joe Harcourt

Logan Spencer

Fred Coxhead

Will Milne

Gane Harbutt

George Mackintosh

The Girls Novice Quad (4x) won Silver

Kaley Caulfield

Alexis McClennan

Jessica Scatchard

Olivia Dunn

Belinda Wright

The Girls U17 Single Scull (1x) won Silver

Brea McDonald