A record number of podium finishes at the South Island Rowing Championships has set up the Dunstan Arm Rowing Club well for nationals this week in Lake Karapiro.

Head coach Simon Smith said the club dominated at the South Island champs with 43 athletes making top three finishes, which he described as “phenomenal.”

“I’m proud of the squad collectively, and these fantastic results are testament to the hard work and commitment put in. We have a fantastic team of people and coaches driving the club forward.” 

Last season the club had 26 podium finishes at the South Islands, so the standard just keeps on lifting, with many multiple medals across the different events.

“As the old adage goes do better than before,” he said.

This season has also seen the school rowing programme integrated into the club programme, offering more opportunities for school rowers to train alongside athletes of similar abilities and creating clear development pathways through to elite level rowing. 

Simon said both the club and senior programme have grown significantly over the past three years, attracting athletes from across New Zealand and around the world. 

“Our programme is growing, our depth of athlete is growing, and we’re the fastest growing club in New Zealand,” he said.

Up until three years ago, Simon was coaching on his own, but now with three extra coaches they can all target one group each - seniors, club, intermediate and junior level rowing.

DARC head coach Simon Smith with club squad coach Lauren Gibb with the medal haul from the recent South Island championships. Image: supplied

The club has 109 rowers - 90 of whom are competitive and this weekend a squad of 60 athletes will represent the club at the New Zealand Rowing Championships.

Club season will then finish and about 15 Dunstan High School rowers will carry on training for the South Island Secondary Schools and the Maadi Cup to conclude the season in March.

Simon said about 12 rowers will be trialling for New Zealand - about the same as last season, and the club also has three international athletes (two from Germany and one from Canada).

“We’ve had multiple international rowers that have competed for their countries.”

However, the growth and success of the club comes with logistical and financial challenges, with more  equipment and volunteer power required to ensure all athletes have the resources they need to perform at their best. 

As a not-for-profit organisation run entirely by volunteers, Dunstan Arm Rowing Club acknowledges the generous support of its key sponsors—C&R Insurance, ITM Southern Lakes, Breen Construction, and Vincent Holdings—along with the dedication of its coaches, committee, rowing families, and the wider local community. 

This support is vital to the club’s success both on and off the water, and the club’s sponsors were recently acknowledged at an event held at the club. 

“We are looking forward to seeing our athletes compete on the national stage at the NZ Champs on Lake Karapiro next week. We couldn’t do it without the generous support of our club sponsors.”

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