The Wānaka Rowing Club celebrated the success of the past season at its annual prize giving on Sunday (June 20).

Club president Graham Berry said it had been a challenging year but, despite the impacts of Covid-19 and the repercussions for rowing events, the club had performed well and had lots to celebrate. 

Committee member Karen Wells said the event was “an enjoyable evening celebrating the collective success of the rowing club, which is growing in numbers every year”.

A range of trophies were handed out to the club's most promising athletes and top supporters.

Coach Matt Rickard said he was delighted to hand the Rower of the Year trophy to Annie Wells, who he said had had an outstanding novice season with top results at the South Island Secondary Schools event in March and various other wins throughout the season.

The Crew of the Year went to the Girls U18 Novice Quad Sculls made up of Lola Ritchie, Annie Wells, Annika Massey, Lucy Maibach and coxed by Thomas Mitchell. 

Annie Wells (Wanaka Rower of the Year recipient) with Matt Rickard (President’s Trophy recipient).

“The crew performed extremely well throughout the whole season and were rewarded for their efforts by a much deserved end of season gold medal at the South Island Secondary Schools Regatta,” the club said in a statement.

The Ashton-Wilson Shield for Coxswain of the Year went to Thomas Mitchell for the second year running.

“Thomas did a great job over the season of encouraging and managing his novice crews - as an experienced cox he always managed to get them to the start, set and race-ready in a calm manner, and once on the course he drove them to great success.”

The David Varney Cup for Most Improved Male was awarded to Phillip Massey for “wonderful progress”; the Bruce Family Cup for Most Improved Female was awarded to Lola Ritchie, who is “competitive, focused and is a great technical rower.” 

The Dedication to Coaching Award was this year awarded to club captain AJ Humphreys, who reflected on his love of introducing the sport to newcomers.

The Doug Stewart Trophy for Most Outstanding Community Supporter was awarded collectively to the Jones family (Jo and Scott Jones and whānau), which has supported the club with fundraising, towing trailers, organising regattas, coordinating uniforms and more; meanwhile the President’s Trophy went to coach Matt Rickard for outstanding dedication in coaching and support of crews. 

The Master of Year trophy was awarded to Chelsea Lodge who was described by Masters coach Shane Gibson as an incredibly enthusiastic and generous club member; and the Galloway Trophy for Member of the Year was awarded to Jem Curtis for his success and sportsmanship.

The Wānaka Rowing Club is planning Learn to Row courses for later in the year and winter training for current members is already underway.

PHOTO: Wānaka Rowing Club