Rowers relish Picton regatta

PETER JONES

The South Island Masters Rowing Championships, staged in Picton Harbour over King’s Birthday Weekend, were a resounding success.

Two hundred and eighty-six rowers attended, representing 17 different clubs.

Queen Charlotte Yacht Club was the perfect venue and the weather conditions on Saturday were ideal, leading to some exciting racing and some fast times on the 8k long distance race. On Sunday the forecast was not ideal, but fortunately the weather held, allowing organisers to manage the whole programme, with little delay.

Host club Picton produced one of the largest squads, with 26 rowers, and came away second in the Overall Points Trophy, just pipped by Union who fielded 39 rowers.

The Picton club is on a roll, building its membership over the last 18 months from four active rowers to over 40. The new rowers having all joined the club through the Social Coastal Rowing Programme, progressing to the flatwater boats.

Organisers said, “For these new rowers, it was a huge learning curve and their first time at the event - both rowing, helping in safety boats, behind the scenes in the control box, handing out medals, and organising refreshments and the after party”. Overall, Picton crews picked up 16 wins, with a further nine crews reached the podium. The four Gaudin brothers were