Wanganui champs draw fans far and wide

Mark Dawson | Tuesday, February 7, 2012 13:23

HOME ALONE: Promising rower Martyn O'Leary - now in Collegiate's colours having moved from Wanganui High School - reflects on his commanding win in the under-17 single sculls, where Jack van Bussel was runner-up.

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Getting numbers to regattas is a bit like rowing up the Whanganui River against the incoming tide.

However, the Wanganui Rowing Association was reasonably satisfied with the turnout for its annual championships on Saturday.

With the Clifton club from Waitara, Wellington, Porirua and the Star club from the capital coming to challenge local outfits of Aramoho-Wanganui, Collegiate and Union, there were about 260 competitors, with 198 entries in a day-long, 52-race programme.

"Entries were about the same as last year," said association president Bob Evans, noting that the visitors had all been pleased with the event.

"After Christmas the focus is on the national championships and clubs seem to just pick two or three regattas to attend."

Local prospects took the chance to sharpen up with the nationals due to start next week at Lake Karapiro.