Dunstan Arm Rowing Club took home third place overall at the rowing national championships in Twizel last week.

The 38-strong club was beaten by larger clubs, Avon Rowing Club and Waikato Rowing club, which placed first and second respectively at the New Zealand rowing championships at Lake Ruataniwha on February 14 to 18.

Dunstan Arm Rowing Club (DARC) coach Simon Smith said, along with third place in the 'Centennial Oar' for overall points, the club came second equal with Waikato for best sculling club.

"It was phenomenal and so amazing to get these rewards.

"I'm super proud of the effort, determination and commitment of all our rowers.

"Our whole squad trains as one."

He said that meant novices row with experienced senior rowers.

"It's one coach and one message," he said.

"It's not fancy, it's a simple recipe and we work hard, in a supportive, competitive environment.

"Now we are churning out fast crews, which is fantastic.

"We've never had such success and these kind of exceptional results across intermediate, club and senior grades."

The club's haul included six gold, three silver and three bronze medals.

Simon, who has been volunteering his time to coach for the past 16 years, is particularly chuffed with the women's senior quad who won in a sub-seven minute time, and also the women's under-18 quad, which placed first in their race.

Two of the club's rowers will travel to the US in August with rowing scholarships.

Mackenzie Eason is going to Yale, Connecticut and Sophie Smith is off to Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles.

"American universities have been in touch with other girls this season already," he said.

"We've also got three girls with trials for the New Zealand under 21s."

Covid-19 requirements did influence the club's after regatta party a 'wee bit' as they had to keep to themselves, Simon said.

"We had a great barbecue celebration after the regatta on Friday night in our bubble.

"It was still awesome to acknowledge all the hard work."

The New Zealand rowing championships, which featured 794 athletes and 42 clubs, were hosted without spectators and Covid-19 protocols were place.

The event also had a last minute venue change after it was shifted from Lake Karapiro in Cambrigde when New Zealand moved to the red setting.

The event featured 122 races, staged across six categories - premier, under 22, senior, club, intermediate and novice. 

The National Championships were first staged in 1887 and have only taken a break for the two world wars.