Dunstan Arm Rowing Club (DARC) has the recipe right; the small club has 12 athletes in national or South Island representative crews after “a massive” rowing season”, according to DARC's head coach.

Simon Smith, DARC head coach said he was heading to Germany in mid July together with Otago University rowing manager Glen Sinclair, and a team of eleven rowers.

Rowers Henry Clatworthy, Mathew O’Meara and Sam Barnett would be competing in the World University Games in Germany, July 16-27.

Simon coaches Henry and Mat in the double sculls and Sam Barnett is a member of the coxless four.

Mathew King and Jack Pearson would be racing for New Zealand in the under 23 World Championships in the double sculls in Poznan, Poland (July 23 -27).

Olivia Ollerenshaw, Millie Scott, Emma Spittle, Olivia Piebanga and India Nicholls have been selected for the under 22 South Island team heading to the Oceania Teams Championships in Adelaide (July 25 -27) .

Harrison Thode was named in the under 19 New Zealand development team to compete at the 2025 International rowing challenge in Ann Arbour, Michigan (July 14 -16). 

Dunstan High School pupil Bella Breen represented DARC/DHS in the South Island under 18 team, they triumphed over the North Island team at Lake Karapiro back in April.

Simon said it was shaping up to be an even bigger year next year, with a new coach Lauren Gibb joining the fold at DARC.

“We’ve got athletes moving down here to further their rowing careers… it's amazing for what is a relatively small club.”

Recently DARC rowers scooped awards from the Otago Rowing Association including the title of school girl rower of the year to Bella Breen, coach of the year went to Simon Smith, crew of the year for Henry Clatworthy and Mat O'Meara (men’s senior double scull), master of the year was Quinton Annan and club rower of the year was Olivia Ollerenshaw.

To find out more about DARC see their club listing.

Have a story to share?

Contact [email protected]