Hi all

With confirmation last night the rowing season has finished (except for the few going to Maadi), you are now able to come down and do Coastal Rowing Beach Sprint training at Titahi Bay beach.

The sessions for the next 3 weeks are:

– Wednesday and Thursday 5:30pm

– Saturday and Sunday 9am.

All members are welcome to join these sessions, even if you are not going to the champs.

This is what we did last year, and we have the boats parked over the road at the bowling club ready to walk just a few minutes down to the beach. They will only be there until early April, so this is your chance to try the boats in the waves.

The Champs are over the weekend 5-6 April at Orewa Beach, Auckland. For students, there are the U19 and U17 categories. Open and of course racing for Masters. See details of events below.

Short version (looking for a quick read?)

Parents and members including students: Join the Adult Heja account (I’ll remove you after Coastal Champs) for the next 3 weeks. Code: RB-458675

Enter into the schedule if you intend on coming to training. If we get a lot wanting to come down, I’ll have to move time slots and organise separate slots. Having said that, I’m not expecting a lot especially given students have just finished a season.

Ask questions about the regatta. I’ll need to know early if you are intending on racing so we can focus on racing techniques rather than just fun rows on the water.

At this stage – just get into Heja.

Safety (for training at Titahi Bay Beach)

Static Safety Plan

Have a read eg things like bring a change of clothes, towel and a thermal.

A dynamic risk assessment will consider wind, swell, forecast and use the Titahi Bay surf cam to provide advance notice in Heja if training can occur.

In addition, this assessment is being taught and carried out by rowers on the beach, so they are learning to make decisions. We’ve had to walk away from 1 session already when the waves started coming in.

Cost

Regatta fees:

– Entry fees are $125 per rower/coxswain for entry into two events categories

– For rowers/coxswains wanting to compete in an extra event category the cost is $75.

Other:

– We are waiting to see costs to hire sculls

Transport

– At the moment, it is self-drive, until we can confirm numbers. Travel up Friday 4th and back Monday 7th.

Accommodation

– Some may wish to stay with friends etc. However, West End Rowing Club have offered their venue for $10pp/night to sleep Marae style on matresses.

https://www.werc.co.nz/venue-hire (Saunders Reserve Clubhouse)

Full kitchen available https://www.werc.co.nz/s/WERC-Saunders-Reserve-Clubhouse-Hire-rates-Aug-2023.pdf

National Coastal Rowing Beach Sprints Champs 2025

– PDF download of Spint details https://rowit.nz/download/cnzb2025-information.pdf

Note: the reference date for ages at this regatta is 1 January 2025.

Event summary:

Open M/F 1x, mixed 2x and 4x+.

Club M/F 2x and 4x+.

U19 B/G 1x, mixed 2x and 4x+.

U17 B/G 2x, 4x+.

Masters both M/F  C/D (av age 43-54) or Masters E/F (average age 55-64+) in 2x and 4x+.

In the mixed boats (Masters 4x+, Open and U19), no more than half can be male eg a mixed quad can have 2m/2f, 1m/3f or 4 females. Club and U17 are single sex boats.

The Open and U19 events are competitive and for those top rowers who want to compete and be selected to represent New Zealand. Note read here for info and nomination forms must be entered by 14 March. https://rowingnz.kiwi/Category?Action=View&Category_id=592

The rest of the events are all about fun and getting involved.

PS We need people to act as boat holders, coxswains (just for our races only!) and friends and family are welcome to come to the regatta and travel with us all.

 

entries

Close 5pm 23 March. Full refund if scratchings made by 5am 30th March.

Composite crews allowed (no need to be approved).

Organiser notes no refunds if event gets blown out. This is a risk that you must be aware of when entering.

But first – get down to training and we can talk about crews and regatta etc.

Cheers

Tony Tikiku

Please message in Heja or call me 021 0292 6927 if you have any questions.

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Reference media:

  • Check out these 2024 articles and videos that were produced by Rowing NZ to promote the event and in turn gave our club a high profile. You will get a feel about the 2025 regatta in Auckland.

Photo Gallery from the champs 2024 at our beach!