Celebrating Our New Zealand Olympic Rowers' Success
An animated crowd gathered at our club on 1 August 2024 to support our New Zealand Olympic Rowers. The event was rewarding, with New Zealand securing a Gold, a Silver, a Bronze, and a 6th place finish in the four final events contested by the Kiwis that day.
Kerri and Jackie Shine Again at the Olympics
Our club sisters, Kerri Williams and Jackie Gowler, have continued their strong performance since dominating the World Cup 3 Coxless Four Event at Poznan in Poland.
With Kerri stroking, Davina Waddy (3), Phoebe Spoors (2), and Jackie (Bow) in the tandem rigged boat, the crew pushed the favourites, Great Britain, in the heats to secure their place in the final.
Ultimately, the final was won by the Netherlands in 6:27.13, with Great Britain in 2nd place at 6:27.31. The Kiwi women earned themselves a Bronze Medal in 6:29.08 after a great display of tenacity, holding off the Romanian crew by a nail-biting 0.44 of a second!
Kerri now has a Gold and Silver Medal (from the Tokyo Olympics), plus this Bronze; while Jackie has a Silver (Tokyo) and a Bronze Medal.
Kerri and Jackie are flanked by Davina and Phoebe after being awarded their medals. This was the first Olympics for Davina and Phoebe, with Phoebe being rewarded for her longevity in our sport, having commenced her rowing career in 2008, a year earlier than Kerri!
Jake Newton and Will Herd’s Busy Schedule
The New Zealand Selectors have decided that due to William’s dedicated training on and off the water, he will now travel with the New Zealand Team to compete in the World Coastal Rowing Championships in Genoa. William will race in a double combination with Joseph Sullivan (Olympic Doubles Gold Medal Winner at London in 2012 and Americas Cup Cyclor), an exceptional development opportunity for William.
William and Jake have travelled twice to Nelson over recent weekends to train in the coastal boats with the New Zealand Coastal Team.
On 14 July, they combined as an Under 18 2X in the Whanganui Rowing Association's 6km race, which they won from 38 other entries. With a prognostic score of 89.08%, they narrowly beat veteran international waka competitor, Peter Wilson.
On Saturday 27 July, as a fundraiser, Jake undertook a challenge to break the New Zealand 15–16-year-olds Indoor Rowing Marathon record. Jake accomplished this in outstanding fashion, smashing the previous record by 13 minutes 5.7 seconds in a time of 2:42:33.5 – a time that many marathon runners would find very challenging!
On the same day, William rode an arduous 100km on an Indoor “Erg Bike”. Will aimed to undertake this challenge in less than 3 hours 30 minutes and was also very impressive with his final time of 3:11:22.2. An incredible effort for a non-cyclist!
Both families have been asked to contribute $7000 towards their sons’ attendance at the World Coastal Rowing Championships - an unanticipated cost at the start of the year for them. While some sponsorships and donations have been forthcoming, if anyone reading this newsletter would like to assist the families with a contribution, the respective Bank Accounts are:
A.Herd 01-0071-0080749-00
JT Newton 38-9023-0549780-00
June Quiz Night
Our “Energy Bunny” Committee Member, Becky Ivory, organised a fundraiser Quiz Night for your club on Friday 21 June, which yielded over $1500.
We wish to sincerely thank sponsors and donors as follows: A Painters Touch (Glen & Bec); Tiffany & Vance Davies; The Doggett Family; Anna & Russell Herd; Super Air (Murray Stewart); Pak'nSave; Columbus Café (Wade & Catherine); Grader & Kirsty Howells; The Emmett Family; Quiz Master Pete.
Also helpers on the night: Lauren, George, and Charlie. And especially Becky!!
Restoring the Banks of the River
Close observers of the Aramoho Rowing Course will have noted the restoration of the banks at the 1000-meter mark on the Whanganui East embankment.
A number of our members responded to a request from the Whanganui District Council to assist over a recent weekend. A big thanks to those who voluntarily gave their time, particularly in appalling conditions on the Saturday!
Bea, Robyn, and Ruby undertaking voluntary community service by getting some dirt on their hands.
RIP Garry Minnell
Garry joined the Aramoho Boating Club as a schoolboy in 1964, coached by our Life Member, Oscar Smith. Over the subsequent seasons, he became a much-respected rower and close friend to those who knew him.
He won many races around the local rowing circuit and two New Zealand Rowing Titles as a member of the Youth Four in 1967 and a Junior (now Senior) Eight in 1970.
Garry was selected to row in the New Zealand Colts Eight in 1970, which won at the Australian Club Championships. Later that year, he was selected for the Elite New Zealand Men's Coxed Four, which contested the World Championships in Canada.
Garry moved to Christchurch in 1971 to pursue his career as a helicopter mechanic/pilot.
Our thoughts are with his wife Susie (nee Newton from Whanganui), Sam and Becs, and his two grandchildren.
Garry in his 1970 New Zealand uniform.
Upcoming Events
Friday 9 August: Quiz Night. Profits will go to support Jake and Will in their quest to attend the World Coastal Championships in Italy. If you can support this great cause, please contact Becky on 0274909447.
Sunday 11 August: Winter Series 4 (UBC Hosting After match)
Monday 19 August: AGM 7:00pm at AWRC Lounge. All members are expected to attend. Please diary this important date NOW.
