Zackary Molloy was seriously injured when the powerboat, driven by Otago Boys' High School Rowing Club coach Fred Strachan, collided with the rowing eight skiff.
Zackary's father, James Molloy, told the Otago Daily Times earlier this week Zackary was ''progressing well'' despite the seriousness of his injuries, which meant he would not be able to bend his right arm at the elbow.
Surgeons at Christchurch Hospital operated on Zackary's arm for 12 hours last Thursday, performing bone grafts and skin grafts.
The powerboat's propeller tore apart the side of the skiff and cut into Zackary's arm.
''He lost about three or four inches of his humerus bone,'' Mr Molloy said.
''It left a gap where his elbow should be, so they [doctors] put a metal bar in there that's bolted in.''
The promising sportsman, who had represented Otago in age-grade football, was resolute despite his injuries, his father said.
''He's been quite cheerful and kind of the calm in the middle of the storm,'' Mr Molloy said.
''He's been pretty solid right the way through.''
Zackary would have to learn new ways of completing many tasks.
''The functionality, he will grow around it,'' Mr Molloy said.
''It will be quite a change in stuff. He can't bend the arm at the elbow ... it's pretty significant.''
Two other pupils taken to Dunedin Hospital after the collision were discharged earlier this month.
The Molloy family was ''working through it'' and remained positive.
''We have had a lot of support across the board [during what's] been a fairly traumatic time,'' Mr Molloy said.
''His school friends were hurt, as well. They have pulled together and the parents have been very supportive.
"It's been good. It's amazing what you find when something like this happens.''
The family are planning their return to Dunedin and are grateful for the support of staff at St John, Dunedin Hospital and Christchurch Hospital.
''You don't want to go into this system, but once you are there you realise how amazing these people are.''
