Good conditions are on the wish list at Lake Ruataniwha this weekend.
The Canterbury championships begin at the lake today, and 221 Otago rowers from seven clubs are set to compete. This year the regatta holds extra significance, after high winds restricted December’s Otago championships to just half a day. With many rowers using both championships as preparation for the bigger regattas to follow, a full weekend of rowing was more important than usual.
"A lot of clubs have been starting to ramp up for this one," Otago Rowing Association manager Mitch Carroll said.
"Particularly for the novices. It gets them another chance to have a go up at Lake Ruataniwha, which is a bigger deal than a local one.
"A lot of the rowers at the Otago champs didn’t even get on the water, because we didn’t have a lot of races, which was quite unfortunate."
While holidays made things difficult for the region’s school rowers, many had been training right through. Those that boarded in the city returned for camps, with an eye to being ready for this weekend’s regatta. It acted as a good starting point, particularly for those who had not experienced a big event before.
"With Canterbury champs clubs can take part. But it’s a particularly good one for the high school kids that are starting the season right now, really. So hopefully it’ll be a good one."
