Wānaka Rowing Club (WRC) welcomed 248 athletes from 25 clubs last weekend (April 26-27) as this year’s host of the South Island Masters Rowing Regatta. 

The regatta rotates around the provinces annually and this year athletes competed at Glendhu Bay, which WRC secretary Tracey Pedersen said was a “wonderful opportunity to welcome rowers to Wānaka when the town is at it’s autumn best”.

“It’s the first time the club has hosted a regatta of this size, and it was a big logistical challenge - but we’re feeling pretty proud of the way it all came together,” she said. 

With two full days of racing and a gala evening event with more than 240 attendees, it was “all hands on deck” for members of the club, Tracey said.

Kelley Buick, Jo Underwood, Helen Wightman and Liz Ritchie.

The club also managed to achieve almost 20 podium finishes.

“Hosting a successful regatta [was] the first priority, but getting our whole club really enjoying working together to host was equally important,” Tracey said. 

The Glendhu Bay location gave the club plenty of space to accommodate athletes, supporters and a big fleet of boat trailers.

There was some “very challenging choppy water” and snow on the hills on Friday (April 26) and a number of the long course races were slightly abbreviated. 

“The water conditions certainly tested the stamina and skill of crews - but with many competitors not lacking experience, the programme went well,” Tracey said. 

Saturday saw “bluebird” conditions, flat water and a full schedule of excellent racing. 

Trophies and medals were awarded across 61 different events and classes, with the Mercer Trophy for the club with the most wins going this year to the squad from Picton. 

Closer to home, Wānaka rowers were among five gold medal winning crews, and placed in another 14 races.

Wānaka Rowing Club gold medalists in their age groups were Victoria Schutte (Women's Single); Kirsty Moran, Tristan Hughes, Sandra Read, Shane Gibson (Mixed Four); Tristan Hughes and Shane Gibson (Men's Pair); and Tristan Hughes and Ian Boserio (as part of a composite eight with Picton’s Ian Boserio along with Picton rower Ryan Lock in Men's Double Sculls).

The excellent results rewarded plenty of training hours on the lake, Tracey said.

“Huge thanks to all sponsors, supporters and athletes for putting together an outstanding regatta - rowing at its best on beautiful Lake Wānaka.” 

PHOTOS: Wānaka Rowing Club