A squad of 13 masters rowers from Dunstan Arm Rowing Club (DARC) smashed out 25 rowing races over the two-day South Island Masters Rowing Regatta held at Glendhu Bay, Wānaka, on April 25-26. 

The group collected three trophies and 10 gold medals. Coach Natalie Wilson said it was a successful weekend for the small squad who range in age from 30-60 years old.

“[There are] those who are relatively new to the sport through to those who have previously rowed at representative level.”

Trophies went to the fastest men’s quad crew of Kelvin Maker, Dave Hanan, Chris Brooks, Andrew Jolly, the fastest women’s four of Rebecca Kingan, Heather Breen, Natalie Wilson and Melissa Cragg (of Picton) and the fastest double team of Rebecca Kingan and Dana Leishman.

Pictured (from left) are Dana Leishman and Rebecca Kingan. PHOTO: Supplied  

On Friday fresh snow on the mountains brought chilly conditions and a stunning backdrop to the day, but due to choppy conditions the long-distance race was shortened from 5km to 2.5km.

The South Island Masters Rowing was held in Wānaka last weekend with snowy vistas. PHOTO: Stephen Duncan

DARC rowers were in a combined crew who won the mixed masters eight on Friday. The crew was Rebecca Kingan, Natalie Wilson, Emilie Nebulot (North Shore), Maude O'Connell (Cromwell) Jeff Steele, Quentin Annan, Phil Newsome, Wayne Gloag and coxswain Abbey Pederson.

The men’s and women’s eights were another highlight of the regatta. In the women's four DARC rowers Rebecca Kingan, Heather Brennan, Dana Leishman and Natalie Wilson teamed up with Melissa Cragg (Picton), Anne Arnt (Union), Christina Blackford and Vanessa Felix (Avon) and coxed by Abbey Pederson.

“They [had] a blistering race, rowing through the North Shore eight in the second half of the race to take line honours,” Natalie said.  

The winning South Islands Masters women’s four was (from left) Rebecca Kingan (stroke), Heather Breen, Natalie Wilson and Melissa Cragg (Picton). PHOTO: Stephen Duncan. 

It was a tight battle in the men's eight with Kelvin Maker, Quentin Annan, Andrew Jolly, Chris Brooks, Gary Jack, Jeff Steele, Phil Newsome and Wayne Gloag and cox Abbey beating Picton on the finish line to win the gold.

A prize giving and an evening function was held at the Lake Wānaka Centre, hosted by the Wānaka Rowing Club for competitors and supporters.

Pictured (from left) are the gold winning crew of Chris Brooks, Dave Hanan, Kelvin Maker and Andrew Jolly. PHOTO: Stephen Duncan.

Some DARC masters train all year round, getting together on the weekends for training, followed by breakfast and a few rowing yarns at one of Central’s cafes. 

“Some masters will hang up their oars over winter, but for others they'll pop on a few extra layers and continue to head out on the water.

"Planning is underway for a masters training weekend at Dunstan in late winter, with masters coming from all over New Zealand before the NZ Masters Rowing Regatta at Lake Karapiro in September.”

For information see DARC’s listing.