Waimea strikes changeable conditions at Karapiro
Choppy conditions delayed Waimea College rowers’ events, and showed them a different side of Lake Karapiro.
Lake Karapiro did not want to receive guests on Wednesday morning, and a small South Island team was one of many affected by the suspension of racing.
All three 16-year-old rowers from Waimea College, in Richmond, Nelson, remembered different conditions at Karapiro during past regattas.
“So far, we haven’t seen the best of Karapiro,” said Sam Johnston.
“It’s not as I remember it … last season was nice water,” added Kaitlyn Wehner.
However, Sam, Kaitlyn and teammate Sean Ducray all agreed Karapiro was a great facility.
Kaitlin had been due on the water for an U17 singles quarter final yesterday but was forced to wait after the suspension of racing.
“I don’t want to go out with the water being rough, so I guess it’s kind of good waiting for it to calm down.”
Sam likes having more rest and downtime at the regatta.
However, there was a point where the scales tipped, and time between races was a problem.
“You just lose your focus,” said Kaitlyn.
Kaitlyn had her sights firmly set on what she wanted from Maadi: an A final.
Sam and Sean wanted to one-up last year’s win in the U16 doubles by taking out the U17 category this year, but weather conditions would not be the only challenge they faced.
“There’s lots of good competition out there, lots of fast people,” said Sean.
The rowers’ coach, Rachel Arbuckle of Nelson Rowing Club, was pleased with their early results.
“A good start for all their target races; they got right in.”
As head coach of the Nelson club, she is looking after a total of 17 students at Maadi.
Three seasons in, she still loves her coaching role.
“It is a full-time job for me. It’s cool. It’s such a cool job.”
RESULTS UPDATE
When racing resumed, Sam and Sean placed first in their quarter final for the U17 double, finishing in 6.55.54.
This earned them a place in lane five for their semi-final.
Western Heights High School duo Lewis Morrell and Bradley Grant’s time of 6.47.40 was the fastest overall.
Kaitlyn placed fifth in her U17 single quarter final, with 8.21.92.
Her time was significantly improved from her heat (10.19.74), and will take her to the C final.
