Te Awamutu Rowing Club members are looking to make a splash at next month’s 2023 New Zealand Masters Championships.
When the two-day event hits the water at Twizel’s Lake Ruataniwha on September 16 and 17, nearly 20 Te Awamutu rowers will be among those competing – one of the largest Te Awamutu contingents to attend the event in recent years.
Off the back of a “very successful” club and school season, club publicity officer Alya Mexted said there was a sense of excitement about sending such a large group – which would now be looking to make its mark on the national stage.
She said “key preparation” had been required in the lead up to the championships, including completing the hard yards of training on – and off – the water, and fundraising efforts.
“On these brisk winter mornings, we’ve completed long distance rows with the club from Horahora Domain to Mighty River Domain – a distance of about 11km,” she said.
Efforts to held pay for the trip included a successful fundraising evening – a quiz night – held at Pirongia Rugby Sports Club.
The evening attracted more than 150 participants, Alya said.
Rowers heading south from the club are Wendy Reynolds, Rochelle Panting, Roz Harrison, Pip Leppard, Chenae Swinerd, Piri Craig, Jess Adlam, Kirsty Moffat, Laura Collier, Richard McDermott, James Bryan, Ann Edmondson, Tony Edmondson, Tanya McDermott, Claire Hood, Allen Loomb, Aaron Leppard, Les Craig, Wayne Asplin and Shane Swinerd.