Beyond the Maadi Cup: The students
It wasn’t all rowing at Maadi – many competitors used down time to study
New Zealand’s largest and most colourful regatta is done and dusted – and it is back to the books.
But for some of the almost 2200 pupils who rowed their hearts out, studies were an integral part of their Maadi experience.
While studies took a backseat for many during the week, some rowers took advantage of down time to keep up with their schoolwork.
A wander through the student tent village showed many pupils hitting the books with almost as much enthusiasm as they approached their rowing.
We caught up with three students who shared their passion for Maadi Cup, and also explained their catch-up programme with their studies.
Katya McGeady, studying at Hillcrest High School, took part in the Girls U15 coxed four, and came through 6th in the A Final of the Girls U15 coxed eight.
Katya said Maadi Cup was important to her. “ I’m a rower and it makes me very happy to see my crew get into finals, and it does make me feel very successful in rowing. I don’t feel the same in any other sport.”
But, she said she did try to keep up with her studies while at Karapiro. “For these five days, I had to miss my studies.”
Chelsea Gibson of Glendowie College is a cox, and she took part in the coxed eight, and the coxed octuple sculls in the U15 category. Both of her crews took part in the A Finals of the respective events where they clinched 2nd and 3rd places respectively.
Gibson says rowing is a team sport, and it is all about the team morale. “Maadi Cup is extremely important. It’s a great team sport, and I’m a coxswain myself, so it’s all about team morale, and getting together, and just working for not only yourself but for the people in front and behind you. It’s just giving everything you got, and really pushing for it, and succeeding together. Whether you win or lose, it’s about giving your best.
“I really enjoy it. I’m a novice, I’m really lucky that I got to come here. It’s just been a real great experience, and I never would have thought that I would have ended up here with eight other people in the crew, and cross the line and win medals, and seeing my friends win medals. This is a real good experience.”
Experience comes at a price, though, and Gibson has to miss her studies for the event. “I’m missing the school, so it would be tough to catch-up. But, we have been doing homework when we can, and when we don’t have races. It’s just worth it at the end of the day.”
Tasha Donald of Taupo-Nui-a-Tia College took part in the U17 double sculls, and coxed quad sculls. In both the events, her team finished 8th position in the heats.
Donald says that the Maadi Cup gives an opportunity to compete against other towns. “Maadi cup is quite important to rowers, and New Zealand. It’s pretty important to me, as we can compete and row against other towns.”
Donald completed her homework in the camp, and hopes she will be up to speed when she returns to school.
