Aramoho Whanganui Rowing Club Women Win NZ Champion Four
Given the negativity of COVID-19 lockdowns, it is with delight we record the success of our Club Women’s Premier Coxless Four at the New Zealand Rowing Championships on Lake Ruataniwha.
Pictured with Central Rowing Performance Centre Coach, Marion Horwell, are the champion crew of Kerri Gowler, Phoebe Collier, Georgia Nugent-O’Leary, and Jackie Gowler, who defeated four other clubs with a winning time of 6.54.
The only other time Aramoho Whanganui have claimed the NZ Champion Women’s Four was in 1986 when John Symes coached Tracey Moorhouse, Fiona Symes, Judith Fretter, Kirsty Bell and coxswain Jean Forlong to victory. In the intervening years, this event has been the domain of various Rowing Performance Centre combinations and has also become a coxless race.
The crew was only made possible at the last minute as a result of 18-year-old Phoebe Collier transferring from Whanganui Collegiate School to AWRC, a decision which resulted in her winning her first ‘Red Coat’.
Georgia secured her second championship title, and Jackie her fifth, while for older sister Kerri, this was her eighth ‘Red Coat’ win.
Congratulations to the crew and to those who made it possible!
Recap - North Island Club Championships
As mentioned in the January Newsletter, our club enjoyed five podium visits at the North Island Club Championship regatta this year.
Men’s Intermediate Double Sculls, Gold Medal: James Clear and Jordan Manville, with coaches Luke Watts and Tom Monaghan (centre).
Girls Under-17 Double Sculls, Silver Medal: Messina S’ua and Georgina Ross
with coach Alan Greer.
Boys Under-18 Coxed Quad, Silver Medal: Michael Sturdee, Dominic Benfell, James Clear, Jordan Manville, and cox Campbell Monk with coaches, Tom Monaghan and Luke Watts.
Men’s Intermediate Single Scull, Silver Medal: Jordan Manville, with coaches Tom Monaghan and Luke Watts.
Men’s Under-18 Novice Double Sculls, Bronze Medal: Eli Kuehne and Dan Guan with coaches Tom Monaghan and Luke Watts.
Again, the club is proud of these efforts and also congratulates all those who made A Finals in this extremely large and competitive regatta.
Recap - New Zealand Masters Games Outdoor Rowing
Our club hosted the on-water rowing event, which this year featured a four-kilometre race on the Aramoho course.
Veterans Trevor Rush and Richard Brock secured the Gold Medal in their coxless pair. Second place went to Bruce Tait (Horowhenua) and Pat Carroll (Union) took third.
It was great to see a mixed quad compete from the Cambridge Club and they enjoyed their time socialising with the Whanganui-based competitors in the Club Lounge at the after regatta function.
Brocky and Trev on their way to a Gold Medal!
In Memoriam: Zelda Armstrong
We are saddened to learn of the passing of Zelda, wife of the late life-member and former Aramoho Boating Club coach, Johnny Armstrong. Zelda was an enthusiastic member of the Aramoho Boating Club Ladies Committee in the 1950s and 60s, and a great supporter of our club.
Quote of the Month
Kerri Gowler after being congratulated by text on the historic Women's Championship Win:
"Thanks Grader! So much fun!”
Have a good photo we should share with others?
We are always on the hunt for photos. If you have one that you want to feature in an upcoming newsletter, send it to awrowing@gmail.com.
