In what has been a weather-interrupted season at Lake Karāpiro, rowers and supporters were finally treated to pristine conditions for the final regatta of the Karāpiro calendar: the North Island Secondary Schools Regatta.

The event served as the final testing ground for crews from 89 schools across the North Island, providing a high-stakes prelude to the upcoming Maadi Regatta. Seventeen rowers from Whakatāne High School braved sweltering heat to compete against a massive field of 1927 competitors across 51 events.

Despite being a relatively small squad, the Whakatāne contingent acquitted themselves admirably over the three-day regatta, securing spots in six A Finals, two B Finals, and one C Final.

The standout performance of the weekend came from Adam Albert-May and Sam Knapton, who clinched a bronze medal in the Under 17 Double Sculls. In one of the most exciting finishes of the regatta, less than 1.5 seconds separated second through fourth place, with the Whakatāne duo showing immense grit to reach the podium.

Other top-tier finishes included Jonty Putwain and Kirwan Penny, bronze medallists from the recent National Championships, who fought hard to place fifth in the Under 18 Novice Double Scull final. Matching that effort were Kohl Van Den Anker and Hayden Grant, who also secured a credible fifth-place finish in the Under 16 Double Sculls.

Whakatāne’s presence in the A Finals continued with the Under 17 Coxed Four. The crew of Callum Hughes, Finn Anderson, James McKay, Luka Hagger, and coxswain Corban Meekel delivered a top-10 finish.

The Under 17 Coxed Quad, featuring Adam Albert-May, Sam Knapton, Kohl Van Den Anker, and Hayden Grant, again led by Corban Meekel, also powered their way into the top 10.

Year 13 student Kayla Billings competed in her final race for Whakatāne High School ending her school career on a high note, securing a place in the C Final of the Under 18 Single Sculls and recording a personal best time.

The squad was rounded out by strong performances from Milla Best, Hamish Cochrane, James Ramsay, Julian Cardinal, and cox Dylan Penny, all of whom showed remarkable resilience in the demanding conditions.

The focus now shifts south. In a few weeks, the pinnacle of the rowing season – the Maadi Regatta – will held at Lake Ruataniwha. Whakatāne High School will be well-represented, sending a lean and hungry squad of eight rowers and two coxswains to compete for national honours.