Christening of new double scull
Our new double scull skiff was named after our long serving Life Member, Peter “Oscar” Smith, earlier this month.
Pete has an extremely long history with the Aramoho Whanganui Rowing Club, and previously with the Aramoho Boating Club, where he commenced as a novice in 1949 and during the 1950’s progressed to become a prominent senior (now premier) oarsman for the Club.
He was awarded a Life Membership in 1967 having served as the Club Treasurer.
However, it is as a coach that Pete has touched the lives of many rowers, and he has enjoyed considerable success on the water in this capacity, only hanging up his megaphone recently.
Pete inspects the new boat with Grandson, Oscar and wife Caryl.
Three of Pete’s first early coaching endeavours were present for the occasion: Trevor Rush, Allan Luff and Pete’s younger brother, Mike.
Recap: Winter Series 5k Race
Six crews from AWRC contested the first Whanganui Association Winter Series 5K Race on 8 May which had a total of 18 entries.
Brocky and Trevor secured second placing overall with a very respectable 91.2% prognostic score and Zac Visser achieved 3rd placing in a Club Single with a prognostic score of 88.3%
Recap: Neilsen Kellerman Masters Regatta
The following weekend, Trevor and Brocky continued their good form at the above regatta.
Accompanied by Murray Stewart, Colin Wright and Craig Smith, they entered a total of seven races which yielded two First Placings, four Seconds and a Third – Not a bad return!
A total of 21 North Island Clubs and 236 competitors attended the regatta, which was raced in excellent conditions.
Our Elite Rowers
With the retirement of Chris Harris, the Aramoho Whanganui Rowing Club still have three athletes in Elite System.
Jackie Gowler and Georgia Nugent O’Leary have been selected in the Womens Squad to compete at World Cup II in Poznan, Poland from 17-19 June; Henley Royal Regatta 28 June to 3 July and World Cup III at Lucerne, Switzerland 8-10 July.
Kerri Williams (nee Gowler) will again combine with Oympian Gold Medal partner, Grace Prendergast, in the coxless pair at the latter two regattas.
Our Club wishes them all the rewards they richly deserve following a very disrupted covid build-up at Lake Karapiro!
Recap: Prizegiving 2022
Everyone looked particularly well dressed for the Club Annual Prizegiving which took place last weekend and was superbly organised by Tom, Ally, Messina, Reeve, Adrian and Maddie.
Awards went to:
Premier Cup – Most Outstanding Premier: Kerri Gowler
Thompson Trophy – Coxswain over Winter Series: Lillie Taylor
Oscar Trophy – Most Outstanding Novice: Bryn Morgan
Supporters Cup – Outstanding WHS Oarswoman Technique/Ability: Georgina Ross
Jack Brock Memorial Cup – Outstanding WHS Oarsman technique/Crew Sprit: Eli Kuehne
Howells Family Shield- Most Improved Novice: Aria Rice-Edwards
Spriggens Cup – Most Outstanding Coxswain: Alex Key
Rush Family Trophy – Most Outstanding Secondary School Crew: Under 18 Coxed Quad: Awen Emmett, Reeve Watson, Messina Su’a, Georgina Ross, Alex Key (Cox). Coach Dave Dudley
Wright Family Trophy – Most Outstanding Oarswoman who displays quality technique and crew spirit: Messina Su’a
Display Associates Trophy – Crew who show most dedication, club spirit and sportsmanship: Womens Club Coxless Quad: Reeve Watson, Nicola Goss, Messina Su’a, Georgina Ross. Coach Dave Dudley
Rob Malasch Trophy- Most Outstanding who contributes to the club on and off the water: Trevor Rush
Jones Family Trophy -- Most Outstanding Sculler: Zac Visser
Amalgamation Trophy – Supporter, Administrator, Active Rower who contributes to the club running: Grader Howells
Presidents Trophy – Sound Rowing Ability and outstanding club/team spirit: Reeve Watson
AWRC Singlets and Row Suits
Our Club is in the process of undertaking an order for new club racing singlets and row suits.
If you require a new singlet ($65.00) or row suit ($120.00) please contact Rebecca Ivory on rebecca.h@slingshot.co.nz or 0274 909 447 and advise your requirements.
There is limited number of “pre-loved” row suits which are also available on a “first-in, first-served" basis at $40.00 each.
Former Wanganui Rowing Club Members Activities
Steve “Cabbage” Wills was recently made a Life Member of the Waikato Rowing Club where he has been a busy man over the past 25 years coaching, and administrating. Cabbage has had an impressive career coaching in England, St Pauls Collegiate, Waikato Rowing Club, Waikato University, NZ Universities, the Waikato RPC and the NZ Under 21 Crews. Members with long memories will recall his irrepressible personality at the Wanganui Rowing Club where he learnt all he knows!
Another former WRC member, Michael (Hondo) Scott, also visited his hometown recently and took the opportunity to participate in a number of Masters Rowing outings on our awa. Hondo resides in South Africa and is still very active in the Masters scene.
Craig “Crash” Smith has also recently taken time out from his busy life as Head Coach at Caulfield Grammar School, Victoria, and as noted previously, joined our Masters Team to compete at the Legion Regatta at Karapiro in early May.
Apparently, there was an unwritten rule at the Wanganui Rowing Club to be gifted a long lasting nickname!
Welcome to New Whanganui High Rowers!
It is very rewarding to see 14 WHS students join the Club's winter sessions after completing their Learn To Row programme.
A big welcome to you and your families and we trust you will all enjoy your future rowing at the Aramoho Whanganui Rowing Club.
Quote of the month
“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts” – Winston Churchill
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