Sailing and Bowls

The 2020-21 sailing season looked very different than anyone had planned due to Covid. The same core of sailors turned up with the addition of two new junior students. So, Term Four of 2020 was spent teaching them how to sail and it was awesome to watch their skill and confidence grow. Term One of 2021 saw some intense coaching of tactics, enhancement of skill sets and time in the boats to get ready for the BOPSAT Team Sailing Regatta in March. Team Sailing consists of races between teams of three boats from each school as they compete for points in a round robin series. Unfortunately, due to the uncertain times, not enough entries were received so the regatta was cancelled. So, the rest of the term was spent focusing on crew combinations and individual skill sets. The team trains every Friday afternoon in the Ohiwa Harbour as part of the Port Ohope Yacht Club. Team Captain, Adam Reid, was rapt with how the team core of five just keep getting better and better each season. He has now stepped into a coaching role before his departure to university, but is confident the team will only get better and he will see them step onto the podium in the near future. He wants to also take the opportunity to thank his dad, Graeme, for giving up countless hours to coach and mum, Sally, for organising everything else.

INDOOR AND LAWN BOWLS TEAMS

Indoor Bowls - 2021

Indoor Bowls in 2021 saw a team of eight pupils contest the singles and pairs titles at the BOP Secondary Schools competition with many Year 9 students giving the sport a go for the first time. However, only six students carried on to the North Island Championships. There was intense competition with Gisborne Boys’ High School and the Mount Maunganui College students provided stiff competition for our two top bowlers, however, they didn’t disappoint. Adam Reid came fourth in the Singles and teamed up with Bailey Irwin to come fourth in the Pairs. This is the fourth year that Bailey and Adam have been attending these competitions and they are now considered to be in the top grade of players. Unfortunately, they didn’t get to represent Whakatāne High School one last time due to Covid causing the cancellation of the National Secondary School Competition which is held in Wellington every year. Lawn Bowls – 2021

This year, a team of six students were entered in the Sport Bay of Plenty BOP Secondary Schools Tournament in Ohope. Here, again, Covid created havoc and, even though the organisers tried to work around the restrictions, it was eventually cancelled. Adam Reid was entered to compete at the National Secondary School Championships in Auckland but this has now been postponed until March of 2022. Even though he will no longer be a student at Whakatāne High School he will be able to compete as they have made a special category for this year’s school leavers.