Y8-13 ROWING 2024/25

​​​​​​​ROWING AT MARSDEN

Rowing is available to all students from Year 8 upwards.

Rowing is a unique high intensity sport, and perhaps the ultimate team sport.  This means that the girls work together and support each other.  While it is important that the girls enjoy their rowing, we also expect them to work hard, be committed and have a good attitude towards each other.

The competitive summer rowing season runs from September to March. During winter a Strength & Conditioning Programme is usually offerred to senior squad members - this training is optional and winter  sport commitments take priority through Term 2 and 3. Once winter sport is complete the number of training sessions steadily increase from September to March in preparation for Aon Junior Regatta, the North Island Secondary Schools Championships (NISS) and for selected girls the Aon Maadi Regatta.

For parents, the sport of rowing is also quite demanding, but can be extremely fulfilling.  You can expect to be a taxi driver, help out at events and assist in fundraising. Further, the demands of rowing provide healthy challenges to your daughter, so they may need some guidance to become self-reliant in an intense sporting environment.  As a parent you will also become a member of a much larger family and develop new friendships with other parents.​​​​​​​

OUR PROGRAMMES

LEARN TO ROW

The 5-week Spring Learn to Row Programme starts on 16th September and includes the first 3 weeks in Wellington, then a 6-day camp in Cambridge during the school holidays rowing on the lake from 6–11 October, followed by another week back in Wellington when school returns.

This programme is available to students from Year 8 upwards who are interested in rowing.

This programme teaches students the basics of the rowing stroke and gives then an introduction to the sport.  At the completion of the programme students can continue onto the summer rowing season starting mid October.

The cost last season was $750 (including GST) – includes Wellington Rowing Club Fees, coaching, camp for 5 nights away.  The actual cost will be confirmed closer to the time.

RETURN TO ROW

The 7-week Spring Return to Row Programme starting on 2nd September includes the first 5 weeks in Wellington, then a 6-day camp in Cambridge during the school holidays rowing on the lake from 6–11 October, followed by another week back in Wellington.

This programme is available to all returning rowers from previous seasons.

The cost last season was $795 (including GST) – includes Wellington Rowing Club Fees, coaching, camp for 5 nights away.  The actual cost will be confirmed closer to the time.

MAIN SUMMER ROWING SEASON

The Main summer rowing season starts mid October and goes through to early March, or late March for those girls who qualify for Aon Maadi.

Training:
For Novices, summer training usually involves 4–5 sessions a week. These sessions are usually 2 hours long and involve rowing on the harbour (City or Petone) or doing fitness training in the Boat Club or at Marsden.

They are generally held from 4pm – 6pm weekdays and Saturday mornings.

For Juniors and Seniors training is generally 5–6 days a week. In the lead up to major competitions such as Nationals (Aon Maadi Regatta), students might have some days where they train before and after school.

Day Trips:

We undertake several day trips to Foxton through the season which provide quality water time for the squad.

Camps:

Samuel Marsden Rowing spend time away in Cambridge for training camp in October (6 days), Whanganui for 2 camps in January - mid Jan and late Jan.

FUTURE SEASON CAMP/REGATTA DATES

2024 Learn To Row / Spring Training Camp - Cambridge - Sun 6th Oct to Fri 11th Oct

2024 Jury Cup - Whanganui - Sat TBC Fri 6th to Sat 7th Dec

2024 KR1 Christmas Regatta - Cambridge - Thu 12th to Mon 16th Dec

2025 Summer Day Sessions - Petone/Foxton - 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th Jan

2025 Summer Camp - Whanganui - Sun 12th Jan to Wed 15th Jan

2025 End January Camp - Whanganui - Thu 23rd Jan to Sun 26th Jan

2025 Aon Junior Regatta Camp - Cambridge - Fri 21st Feb to Sun 23 Feb

2025 NISS - Cambridge - Thu 6th Mar to Sun 9th Mar

2025 Maadi - Cambridge - Fri 21st Mar to Sun 30th Mar

COMPETITIONS/REGATTAS

Marsden attends a range of competitions/regattas throughout the season. During the first half of the season, the rowing competitions are club events with rowers competing for Wellington Rowing Club generally held on Wellington Harbour and the Whanganui River.

During the second half of the season there are three major regattas at Lake Karapiro in Cambridge before competing at Aon Maadi Regatta which is the largest secondary school sporting event in the Southern Hemisphere and the location alternates each year between Lake Ruataniwha, Twizel and Lake Karapiro, Cambridge.

Students qualify for Aon Maadi Regatta at the North Island Secondary School Championships - typically by reaching A or B finals.

COST

Rowing incurs considerable costs. The season fees last year were as below - actual for upcoming season will be confirmed closer to the time:

• Return to Row Spring Season – last season cost $795 (incl GST) which includes Wellington Rowing Club Fees, coaching, 5 nights away at camp, and contribution to overheads.

• Learn to Row Spring Season – last season cost $750 (incl GST) which includes Wellington Rowing Club Fees, coaching, 5 nights away at camp, and contribution to overheads.

• The main Summer Season fees for a Returning Rower last season were $3,950 (including GST) which includes rower Wellington Rowing Club fees, 20 nights away, regatta fees, coaching costs, maintenance costs, transport to and from regattas (except flights which will be additional if your rower attends), and contribution to overheads.
• The main Summer Season fees for a Returning Cox last season were $3,200 (including GST) which includes cox Wellington Rowing Club fees, 20 nights away, coaching costs, maintenance costs, transport to and from regattas (except flights which will be additional if your cox attends), and contribution to overheads.  The difference with the cox membership is that they will have a focus on being a cox, but can still row at training & camps, but will only cox at regattas.
• The main Summer Season fees for a Novice Rower last season were $3,650 (including GST) which includes rower Wellington Rowing Club fees, 17 nights away, regatta fees, coaching costs, maintenance costs, transport to and from regattas (except flights which will be additional if your rower attends), and contribution to overheads.
• Additional flights cost if your rower/cox attends - for Aon Junior Regatta is $347 (all rowers/coxes) and for attending NISS is $295 (returning rowers/coxes only).  Please note that confirmation of attendance at Aon Junior and NISS must be made by 20th January 2025 - If attendance is confirmed by this date the flights are non cancellable after this date and will be invoiced to you.
• Clothing for Novices – approx. $415 (incl GST) - Rowsuit (race uniform), short sleeve tech top, short sleeve travel top, bag, and cap.  There is also an optional long sleeve base layer which is $98 and visor which is $29.
• There is an additional cost for selected returning rowers who attend Aon Maadi Regatta.

UNIFORM

Marsden Rowing Zootie/Rowsuit or Wellington Rowing Club Singlet for regattas. Comfortable fitted sports gear for training.

MORE INFORMATION

More information can be found in the Rowing Handbook tab on this page.