Hillcrest High takes on the Maadi Cup

Rowing is hard work, as everyone knows, and the Hillcrest High squad training programme is no exception, says rowing manager Rachel Birdling.

“We started our season around September. We had a few students compete in  winter racing, but preparation in terms of this season started around September we had our first flat water camp at Lake Maraetai down in Mangakino over the three days of Labour Weekend.

“We had a week-long intensive training camp in January on the Waikato river held at Tūrangawaewae Marae in Ngāruawāhia, but we always try to book our camps on a lake because it is much easier to train and perfect  technique  on flat water,” Rachel explained.

Rachel said the school squad trained four times a week on the river along with one to two erg sessions per week over the season. However, there have been a few extra sessions in preparation for Maadi.

“We have a coach named, Alastair Riddle, who comes from Rotorua, with 20 years of coaching experience.

“I think the upcoming season is going to be very exciting,” Rachel said.

Hillcrest had one advantage over many of the schools attending Maadi in that they are Hamilton based and the rowers can return home to their beds each night.

While the Hillcrest squad has  three seniors rowing for the last time at Maadi this year, the school has a lot of youngsters in both the under 15 and the under 16 categories.

“Rowing is of benefit for students because they become fit and they also learn to manage their time well, they learn how to communicate effectively, and they make good friends with each other,” Rachel said.

Hillcrest is holding an Open Day on April 6, as well as a 4-day learn-to-row  camp on the Waikato River during the school holidays.

Hillcrest in conjunction with Hamilton Rowing Club is holding a number of open days, with the first planned for  April 6. As well, a 4-day learn-to-row programme is planned  on the Waikato River at Hamilton Rowing Club during the school holidays.