Wānaka Rowing Club (WRC) has celebrated a successful year “both on and off the water” at its annual prizegiving, the club says.

Held on Sunday (July 13), the prizegiving brought together the local club’s coaches, crews, supporters, and backers - and awards were given out for a range of categories.

Lola Ritchie received the prestigious Rower of the Year award and Chelsea Lodge received the President’s Award.

The Most Improved Master award went to Keely Buick; Master of the Year to Victoria Schutte; Most Improved Male to MacKenzie Hay; and the Most Improved Female to Lily Garrett.

Angus Todd was honoured with the Coach of the Year award while Lizie Ritchie received the Community Supporter of the Year and Shane Gibson received the Otago Rowing Association Volunteer Recognition Award.

Coxswain of the Year went to Emily Hunt; Novice of the Year went to Lachlan Hay; and Member of the Year went to Sandra Binney.

Crews were celebrated with a pair of awards: The Best Crew Spirit (Girls’ Novice Quad of Emma Throne, Milly Stuart, Casey Howard, Chantel Thurston, and Emily Hunt, the Coxswain); and the Crew of the Year (Boys’ Novice Quad of Lachlan Hay, Douglas Wise, Mackenzie Hay, Tyler Gawn, and Emily Hunt, Coxswain).

Master rowers (from left) Victoria Schutte, Chelsea Lodge, Lizzie Ritchie, and Keely Buick.

Lastly the UP Award - for ‘Unlimited Potential’ - went to Milly Stuart; and the ‘Awwr’ Award went to Douglas Wise.

“Learn to Row coaches AJ Humphries, Max Maines, Grainne Power were thanked for their volunteer hours with rowers new to the sport as were Rob Bruce, Matt Rickard, Shane Gibson and Tristan Hughes for their continued support of novice and experienced rowers,” a statement from WRC said.

“And huge thanks go to club supporters Ian Farrant, Alpine Group, Silver Fern Farms, Butchers Block, the Bruce Family, [and] Stay Mackenzie who provide regatta accommodation, transport and protein.”

Wānaka Rowing Club will be running both Junior and Masters Learn to Row Programmes again. Anyone who is interested can contact the club.

PHOTOS: Supplied