Dunstan Arm Rowing Club (DARC) wants as many people as possible to come and give rowing a go.

Rowing can be picked up and enjoyed by anyone at any age, and DARC has the recipe right for high achievement after strong results in recent seasons. 

In the hope of getting more people into the sport, the club is hosting an open day on October 5 at DARC's base, on Fruitgrowers Rd, Clyde, from 9am to 11am.

DARC head coach Simon Smith said their success is based on a strong rowing programme and an inclusive and supportive club culture.

“We want to make sure that rowing is accessible and affordable for everyone in this community to enjoy.”

DARC offers rowing to a broad range of athletes including novices, secondary school age rowers, club rowers and masters.

In the past five years the club has performed well, regularly making the list of the top 10 clubs at the New Zealand Rowing Championships with multiple podium finishes.

This year eight DARC athletes have gone on to be selected to row for New Zealand representative crews and some have travelled overseas to row. 

Pictured in the double are DARC’s Freddy Todhunter and Elsie Talbot, the pair of mates were both named in the NZ U21 team in February. PHOTO: Supplied 

For club athletes, the season started in September and finishes with the New Zealand National Champs, to be held in February in Twizel.

Secondary school rowers continue training for the New Zealand Secondary Schools Regatta, known as the Maadi Cup, at the end of March.  

Maadi Cup is one of the biggest secondary schools sporting events in New Zealand and the Southern Hemisphere, with around 15,000 - 20,000 spectators. 

In 2025 it will be held at Lake Karapiro, Cambridge.

For more information see DARC’s listing or contact Simon on 027 688 7328.  

Read more: Four DARC members selected for NZ team