Two new racing shells to help our rowers to success

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McGlashan’s 2015/16 rowing season to date has been one to look back on and witness, the squad continues to move from strength to strength.

Training for this season began back in late September of 2015 for boys entering another season of rowing. Some senior members attended the R2K regatta at the beginning of October in Twizel getting themselves prepared for the season ahead. 

This season, we have seen another increase in the number of novice rowers entering the squad for their first season in mid October, another indicator of how rowing at McGlashan is moving forward and attracting more and more interest. Our group of strong novices picked up the passion to stick with rowing and began moving forward to their first regattas on the harbour in mid November. At these small local regattas the young fellas got a taste of what was coming up later in the season. 

At the end of the school year the squad attended the Dunstan regatta held at Clyde. This was the first time the novices competed in a full 2-kilometre race, something they will all remember well. At this regatta some strong and credible results were gained and we began moving into the more important side of the season, with Otago champs at Lake Ruataniwha the following weekend where more success continued to be made. 

After a deserved break over Christmas and New Years a weeklong summer training camp was held for the entire squad at Twizel. At this training camp the squad took possession of a brand new quad and double purchased by McGlashan rowing. This is the first time in McGlashan rowing’s history that the college has owned their own boats and is once again an indicator of how this sport at the college is moving up in leaps and bounds. This training camp was finished with the Canterbury champs regatta at the end of the week. Even after a hard week’s training all members of the squad were able to gain credible results, a testament to the mental toughness and strength of the boys after a week of hard yacker.

Only days before school started at the end of January the squad attended the South Island Club Champs held in Twizel. This regatta was a great indicator of where the squad is heading moving into the real business end of the season, as a number of crews were able to gain medals in a number of events. Notable successes were the novice 8 and U17 single picking up bronze medals, the U15 and U16 quad’s gaining silver and the U15 double achieving gold. A number of crews also gained 4th placing’s just missing out on medals, but nothing to be disappointed with showing the real grit of the squad.

With full training back underway the attention of the lads now moves towards the large regattas of the season, with the focus largely being on South Island secondary school champs in mid March and the prestigious National secondary school champs, Maadi Cup at the beginning of April. With some hard yards put in and some real ticker the lads are sure to do themselves and everyone around them proud in the weeks to come. Keep at it boys and the good results are sure to be seen in the near future.

By Mitchell Parks

Fundraising event

"COMEDY AT THE LOAN & MERC"

Where: 33 Thomas Burns Street, Harbourside
When: Last day of term one, Friday 15th April
                Doors open from 7pm
Cost: $75 per ticket per person
Ticket includes: Complimentary glass of beer, wine or juice, canapés, hot lamb supper, auction on the night AND featuring three of the best stand up comedians in the business, including two Internationals -
Ben Hurley (NZ)
Lloyd Langford (Wales)
Rich Wilson (UK)
This will be the best night you will have all year!
R18 Limited tickets, on sale soon.

Enquiries to:
Fiona Macdonald 0274885377
or Barry Timmimgs 021386882