Whakatane High undeterred by suspension of racing

Lake Karapiro is familiar territory for the Whakatane High School rowers, so the team of around 15 is seizing the opportunity for success.

An erg is available in the tent, and U16 single sculler Kate Murphy, 15, made the most of it yesterday, when she did not have a race.
Despite a gold at the North Island Championships, and a win in her heat, she was not over-confident.
“I’m still a bit nervous – there’s a whole other island.”
She said competition had been strong, with some in the field getting closer and keeping up with her.

Her quarter final was suspended due to poor conditions on Wednesday, but she is sitting pretty after placing first in her heat.
“If they cancel the quarters or if they postpone it or anything, it doesn’t affect me.”
Should the heat go ahead later, she would not be concerned, as she likes rough conditions.

Matthew Hill, 15, and his teammates in the U16 quad were unaffected by the suspension of racing because they had already qualified for a semi-final later in the week.
They hope to build on their bronze at the recent North Island Championships.

Matthew is in his second season of rowing, and was inspired to start after some gold medal-winners featured in a school assembly.
He has kept it up because he enjoys winning, and “doing well.”
Coaches Graeme Watt, and Karen Parsell were also a plus.
“They just seem to prepare us really well… I have complete faith in them to bring us to the level that we need to be.”

Matthew is glad to be at Karapiro as, last year, the higher altitude at Twizel was challenging.
“We’re used to Karapiro because this is where we row every couple of weeks.”
“Just being home water, it just feels better here.”