THE Whakatāne Rowing Club made an impressive showing at the 2024 NZ Masters Championship regatta, held at Lake Karapiro on September 21 and 22.

The club's small but dedicated team of seven rowers fought hard and brought home nine medals – three gold, three silver, and three bronze.

Leading the way, Gary McAdams and Graham Watt, secured bronze in the men's F-double. This set the tone for the club's successful weekend.

Deb Rowe and Gill Peterson hit the water soon after in their heat of the womens D-double, finishing strong despite hitting a number of buoys along the way.   They finished second, which qualified the pair for the A final.  

As last year's silver medalists in the same event, there were high expectations and they didn’t disappoint. Fighting hard they kept the momentum going and secured bronze in the final.

On the second day of racing, Rowe and Peterson teamed up with fellow Whakatane crew mates in the mixed D double events. Peterson and Graham Sims took silver in a very tight race, while Rowe and McAdams secured bronze.

“It was a smooth, strong performance.  Certainly, feels a great achievement coming away with two medals,” Rowe said.

Sims joined a couple of Cambridge Rowing Club crews to secure two more silver medals in the men’s E coxless quad and then in men’s C double, up against crews much younger than they were.

There was also a great performance from the ladies C quad crew, comprising Lisa Hale, Barb Armstrong, Margaret Timms (St George), and Caroline Robertson (Petone).  In their first outing together, they dominated the event, finishing first to take a gold.

"The team's performance was outstanding, it was a real pleasure to row with such a great crew,” said Hale.

Adding to the club's medal tally, Watt, renowned coach and masters rower, finished day two with two gold medals; in the F double event with Union Rowing Club and the F single where he looked so comfortable leading the pack home.

The club's success demonstrates the dedication and skill of its rowers, coaches, and supporters.  We are all very proud to be a part of the longstanding performance of the Whakatane Rowing Club.

The rowers are grateful to Nicholson Autos Whakatāne for its support throughout the season.