Two Central Otago rowers earned medals at the world’s largest rowing event, Boston’s Head of the Charles Regatta (HOCR) recently.

Central’s Simon Smith won gold in the men's eight; the third year in a row he’s claimed such a medal, and the fourth consecutive year for his crew.

His crew also set a new course record this year, after narrowly missing it in 2022. The previous record has stood for nine years.

Young Central rower Mackenzie Ealson, (20), who is at Yale University doing environmental studies, won a bronze in her eight in the junior varsity race.

Simon, who coached Mackenzie through her school years in Central said he was incredibly proud and thrilled for her when he heard of her success.

Unfortunately, Simon was unable to watch her race as he was on the plane home, but he did manage to catch up with her beforehand in Boston. 

Mackenzie’s mum Kelly said her daughter was “over the moon” with the bronze and enjoying life at Yale.

“It’s hard to watch, but we watched what we could and they did really well.

“She’s got a group of great rowing friends around her, all like minded people.”

Mackenzie is (fifth, from left) pictured with her crew from Yale University. PHOTO: Supplied  

Kelly said Mackenzie is hoping to trial for the New Zealand under 23 team next year, and has been able to come back to NZ during May and August each year of her study. 

C & R Insurance’s Simon raced for a club based in San Francisco, the Marin Rowing Association.

At 48 he is one of the oldest in his category, and his crew, but he still gets a buzz out of racing.

“We’ve stuck together as we’ve been fast… we do our own training all over [some] in New Zealand and some in the United States. We keep each other honest.”

Simon (second, from right) pictured here with his gold medal. PHOTO: Supplied 

He got involved thanks to a friend he rowed with in the 1990s who rowed for Marin.

His crew has won gold four years in a row, but he missed one year for health reasons. 

“It’s the biggest event we can do internationally as masters rowers, it’s amazing to achieve this and be there with mates in your crew, our fantastic cox . . . it's such a team sport.”

The Head of the Charles Regatta (HOCR) involves 3000 boats and 11,000 athletes and has been hotly contested since 1965.