100-person zones making Ruataniwha regattas doable

Otago Boys’ High School rowers Henry Kirk and Gray Small compete in the South Island championships at Lake Ruataniwha at the weekend. They are rowing past the bank where competitors — with tents and trailers — were spread into zones of 100 people or fewer. PHOTOS: SHARRON BENNETT

Otago Rowing Association president Glen Sinclair gave a vote of confidence that South Island Rowing could facilitate large numbers at Lake Ruataniwha.

That comes after what he said was a successful South Island championships at the weekend.

It is a promising sign ahead of the national championships, which begin on February 14 in Twizel, having been moved there due to the difficulties of facilitating 100-person bubbles at Lake Karapiro.

Sinclair also expressed confidence that the secondary schools Maadi Cup, which begins on March 28 and regularly attracts more than 2000 rowers, could be held — provided School Sport New Zealand approved.

"South Island Rowing have run at least four regattas under different scenarios," Sinclair said.

"It was only a week before that the Government announced we’re going to Red. But South Island rowing went ahead and got all the resources, all the signage in place.

"They took the gamble and spent the money early, had the plan set up early on.

"They just moved over to the Red setting and had some fantastic individuals making it work."

South Island Rowing Covid logistics manager Logan Keys gets ready to divide Lake Ruataniwha into zones for the regatta.

Access to the lake could only be gained by vehicles through four entrances.

From there, teams were separated into 22 zones with wrist bands and lanyards being used for identification.

Support staff was limited to five people per 25 athletes.

It took plenty of officials, although Sinclair said the quantity of volunteers willing to help meant South Island Rowing ended up "all but turning people away".

"From my point of view, it went perfectly," Sinclair said.

"The biggest thing for that regatta is the land allows you to be able to do it. The access to the water at Lake Ruataniwha allows you to do it, to be able to put people into bubbles of 100.

"It was well-fenced, it was very clear that people stayed in their bubbles, so it all worked really well.

"I know rowers are generally pretty compliant people who just want to make the sport happen."

He expressed his hope that the Maadi Cup would go ahead.

"South Island Rowing, under this scenario — 100 person bubbles, limited number of supporters — they can definitely do it, not a problem.

"It’s just whether School Sport New Zealand will allow it to happen. It would be extremely disappointing for SSNZ to make a blanket decision where some sports are able to and some aren’t."