Burnside loses 4 kilometres of river

Burnside College of Christchurch has overcome the earthquake and is aiming to win at the Maadi Cup.

The Avon River was polluted during the earthquake. The river was off limits to rowers for six months, delaying training for half a season.

Before the disaster the Burnside College rowing crews would command six kilometres of the river.

Bridge repair has forced Burnside to compete with other schools for the two kilometres of the river that is available.

Last year the shed that the school stored their boats in was burnt to the ground in a suspected arson.

Teacher in charge Campbell Lowe said the school is “rebuilding” the rowing team after the quake.

The school has 12 under 15 rowers, eight of whom are girls, six under 16s rowers, four under 17s and three under 18s.

“A kind of pyramid, with the next generation coming up,” Mr Lowe said.

Matthew Davies of Burnside, 18, received gold in both the Canterbury championship and the South Island champs.

It costs each student around $850 each to come to Maadi. The school attempts to subsidise the cost through fund raising.

After the Maadi Cup the school will be having a much needed break in Tauranga before flying back to Christchurch from Auckland.