The National Rowing Club Champs were held at Lake Ruataniwha last week.

The event which saw crews from all over NZ descend on Twizel almost came to an abrupt halt last week after changes in COVID-19 Alert levels. The first two days of rowing at the National Club Champs had to be cancelled and meant a nervous wait for those involved for the government decision announced on Wednesday evening. Relief was evident when the move back to Alert level 1 was announced, and the organisers geared up for a modified event held over the remaining three days available. 

The Oamaru Rowing Club Women's Intermediate Coxed 8 made up of rowers from WGHS and SKC came away with gold after finishing with a time of 7:16.42, beating Wellington (7:22.41) and Mercer (7:26.07) who finished 2nd and 3rd respectively. 

In school racing, the WGHS four - Lily Rawson, Abbey Wilson, Bailey Chapman, Sophie McMillan-Sinclair and coxswain Quinn Plunket are rivals with the St Kevin's four. Put together they are a powerful force on the water. 

Good luck to the 12 WGHS rowers who are competing in the upcoming South Island Secondary School Champs at Lake Ruataniwha and MAADI Cup on Lake Karapiro in Waikato.