The school hasn’t had a rower since Henry
Hutton left school three years ago and of
course, before that, Giacomo Thomas, the
sculler who won the NZSS singles and now
part of the national elite squad. But there has
been an exciting resurgence in the sport at the
school over the last year. At the NI rowing
champs, held on Lake Karapiro, a Hawkes Bay
novice eight won the B final, the crew included
5 from the school, Jasper Blokker,
Zane Shadbolt, Harry Roberts, Caleb Hannan
and James Dale. Another Hawkes Bay crew
including Joel Engelke, contested the A final
and finished a gallant second and the silver
medal. Joel Engelke was a member of the
Rowing
Hawkes Bay Club novice eight which won gold Back Row: Jasper Blokker, Joel Engelke, Finn Bull
Front Row: James Dale, Anna Welch, Caleb Hannan
at the NZ Rowing Champs held at
Absent: Harry Roberts
Lake Ruataniwha.
The eight had won their heat but were still nervous about the final. In the end they prevailed by over a length.
He was also a member of the novice four that finished 5th in the A final. Also a member of the crew was Jasper
Blokker. He also competed in the novice double sculls where he and his team-mate finished sixth in the B Final.
Jasper and Joel then combined in the novice double sculls, making the B final where they finished sixth. At
the time of writing this article, both boys were away at Lake Ruataniwha at the New Zealand Rowing Champs.
Kate York, who finished school at the end of last year has also been rowing for the Hawkes Bay club. The boys
are looking to enter the NISS rowing champs in early March and then, if their results deem it possible, onto the
NZSS champs in late March if they prove successful. A good base is starting to develop, hopefully a few have
signed up for the new season.
The school rowing team had to row like experts, despite the fact they are all novices at the NISS rowing champs
held recently on Lake Karapiro. Friday and Saturday of the event had many delays and postponements due to
the rough weather. Many crews had to withdraw before or not finish due to the white-topped waves on the lake.
Best of the crews were the coxed four, Joel Engelke, Jasper Blokker, Harry Roberts, Caleb Hannan and coxen
James Dale who finished 4th in their heat and 6th in the B Final in the U18 grade.