Ngai Tahu Sets Early Pace In Corporate Rowing

24 October 2008

Ngai Tahu Sets Early Pace In Lead Up To Major Corporate Rowing Event

Fourteen corporate crews gathered at the Meridian Rowing Centre at Kerrs Reach on Wednesday night to eye up their competition ahead of November¹s big race ­ the 2008 Meridian Power Rowing Regatta.

The event tested each competitor¹s speed and endurance on an ergometer (erg), an indoor rowing machine, over 500m.

The erg competitions are part of the 10-week training programme as teams build up to the Meridian Power Rowing Regatta at Kerrs Reach on 23 November.

Kay Eade, Meridian Sponsorship Coordinator, says it was great to see so many of the teams turn up with a competitive spirit.

³The indoor erg competition was a very successful, and very energetic event. The main purpose of the erg competition was for teams get an idea of how their opponents were tracking, but it soon became apparent that the competitors were there to win, and wanted to send a message to the other teams,² she says.

The fastest team was Ngai Tahu who put in a combined time of 12 minutes 46 seconds; they were followed closely by the Meridian Benmore team, which posted a competitive time of 12 minutes 49 seconds.

³The Ngai Tahu team posted a great time, and it was good to see the Meridian Benmore team put in a strong effort as well. Most of the times were very competitive and it is apparent that this year¹s competition is going to be up a level from last year. The Ngai Tahu team is obviously benefiting from the expertise and encouragement of their coach Jade Uru, the brother of Olympic rower Storm Uru,² says Kay Eade.

Another team that raised a few eye-brows on the night was the Cavaliers ­ from the Cavell Leitch law firm. Each team is required to have two members of the Œopposite sex¹. Most teams chose to race six men and two women.

³The Cavaliers are doing things a little differently. They have entered a team of six women and two men. It was great to see the Cavaliers put in a strong effort and if the post event strategising is anything to go by, they will be a force to be reckoned with come race day,² says Kay.

A second indoor erg rowing competition will be held on 6 November.

The 500m series of races will involve sixteen teams of eight and they will be held at Kerrs Reach on 23 November 2008.

Some of the teams involved include Ngai Tahu Property, Christchurch City Council, Fletcher Construction, Christchurch Casino, Christchurch Polytechnic Fulton Hogan, Lincoln University, and Meridian.

Meridian has been involved with South Island Rowing since 1999.

As well as supporting grass roots rowing, Meridian has helped establish the Meridian Rata High Performance and Meridian Indoor Rowing Centres in Christchurch, the Meridian Rowing Centre at Lake Ruataniwha and the Meridian Rowing Academy, which specialises in coaching and scholarships for young rowers.

ENDS