Rowers Vounteer at the SISS Rowing Championship

Last weekend our rowers and their whanua headed to Twizel to take part in the Meridian South Island Secondary Schools Rowing Regatta.   As we have only started our rowing journey earlier this year, we are not quite up to competing at this level, so we thought it would be a great opportunity to put our hands up and volunteer at the event.  This proved to be a very invaluable experience for all of us.

Not many new rowers get the chance to see behind the scenes and over Saturday and Sunday our rowers and caregivers got to see everything from, where to and how to put the boats in the water, how to get in and out of the boat (without falling out!), how to get to the start line, and manoeuvre the boats to the starting line and back at dock. They also learnt about the penalities for not being on time or taking too much time, which could lead to disqualification.  And the most important, is that the Coaxen is "The Boss!'

The group was split into different areas and sent out across the racing course where we became pros at boating holding on the start line, a potential to burn the soles of your feet (socks definitely required!).  We all had a turn at Numbers, giving out race numbers and collecting them as well as helping pull the boats into shore,which proved to be a challenging task when the wind came up.  Some of us also helped in the catering areas.

A huge thank you to Pat McQuinn, our Coach for looking after us and also to Sophie, the Regatta Manager, who made us feel welcome and everyone else who made the trip possible and supported us to get there.

We will continue to row until the first weekend in April, finishing with a fun day at the Lower Selwyn Huts with St Thomas'.  

If anyone is interested in joining us or would like more information, please contact Pip - sport@darfield.school.nz or Jo sportsassistant@darfield.school.nz