Rowers head for Canterbury champs

Marlborough’s rowing fraternity face their first major test away from home this weekend, when they tackle the Canterbury championships.

After warming up for the new season during the Marlborough champs on home water, now they will front up against many of the Mainland’s best crews at Lake Ruataniwha.

Crews from Marlborough Boys’ and Girls’ Colleges, Picton and Wairau will venture south this weekend, building towards the South Island champs, Nationals and Maadi Cup later in the season.

MBC coach John Robinson will have around 26 oarsmen in Twizel, his charges building nicely into the new season after recently completing a training camp at Lake Rotoiti and travelling south earlier this week to undertake some seat racing and more training.

“We are in a much better place this year than we were at the same time last season,” he suggested.

He will take charge of the older brigade, including the promising under-17 quad comprising Sam Feltham, Rhys Salvador, Dylan Burton and James Fitzgerald. They also form a handy under-18 four, with Fred Vavasour coming in for Fitzpatrick.

“It will be a good eye-opener to see how they go,” said John.

Clayton Lindstrom will coach the under-16 contingent, with Grant Morgan and Matt Straker looking after the novices.

The MBC rowers, who will compete in Blenheim Rowing Club colours: Fred Vavasour, Sam Feltham, James Fitzgerald, Leon Poswillo, Rhys Salvador, Dylan Burton, Mason Henderson, Hugh Straker, cox Walter Wickham, Zac Jenkins, Adam Cairns, Jack Stevens, Lochy Gilmour, Dylan Locke, Charlie Renner, Reuben Dempster, Shane Henry, George Lindstrom, cox Tyler Ticehurst, Kiarn Collins, Hunter Nelson, Korban Chevis, Aden Hall, Fergus Campbell, Blake Fitzgerald, cox Tyran Carter.

The Picton club will head south with six senior club rowers who have an eye on the South Island champs in two weeks and the nationals in a month’s time.

The four Gaudin brothers - Ryan, Keiran, Shae and Hayden will join forces with Will Johnston, who has transferred from Nelson and Mark Patterson, who last rowed for Picton 22 years ago.

Former national age group reps Mitchell Mackenzie-Mol and Cameron Donald are part of the squad but unable this weekend, along with the Picton school age rowers.

Picton will race the open eight, incorporating Dunstan 45-year-old masters Simon Smith and Greg McLaughlin.

The eight will split into fours, doubles and quads with Ryan and Will looking to build on their victory in the open pair at the Marlborough champs in December.

The MBC contingent will row under the Wairau RC banner, the students coached once more by former international Sean O’Neill. Mark James will take three older rowers to the champs, members of the Central RPC draft.

The Wairau rowers: Alice Paterson, Anika Moetaua, Bridgitte O’Leary, Cleo Ingram, Daisy Vavasour, Ella Barnes, Emma Flanagan, Grace Straker, Hazel Glover, Holly Feltham, Jess Bennet, Jorja Bacchus, Kelsey Daldorf, Lara Bacchus, Leigha Stormont, Lexi Timpson, Li Na Chapman, Lily Crawford, Liv Matthews, Liv Theodore, Logan Docherty, Maggie lane, Meg Flanagan, Mila van Reusberg, Molly Glover, Olive Paterson, Paige Materoa, Poppy Lane, Sophie Ridley-Scott, Tayla Lyford, Teri Climo, Phoebe Trolove, Tristan Gregory-Hunt.