​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ROWING AT MARSDEN

Rowing is available to all students from Year 9 upwards - this is a change from prior years where Year 8 was the entry year.

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 the Junior Regatta, the North Island Secondary Schools Championships (NISS) and for selected girls the 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 2026/27

The 2.5-week Learn to Row Programme starts on Wednesday 9th September and ends on Thursday 24th September and includes a weekend trip to our Foxton/Moutoa base on 19/20 September. At the completion of the programme students can continue onto the main rowing season which for new rowers starts with Spring Camp Sunday 4th October to Friday 9th October and goes through to 28th February.

This programme is available to students in Year 9 who are interested in rowing.  This programme teaches students the basics of the rowing stroke and gives them an introduction to the sport. 

The estimated fee is $150 including GST.

RETURNING ROWER SEASON 2026/27

For returning rowers there is one Main Season starting on Monday 7th September and goes through to 28th February, or 21st March for those girls who are selected for Maadi Regatta.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

MAIN SEASON - ALL ROWERS

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 returning rowers training is generally 5–6 days a week. In the lead up to major competitions such as Maadi Regatta, students might have some days where they train before and after school.

Day/Weekend Trips

We undertake several trips to our Foxton/Moutoa base through the season which provide quality water time for the squad.  These could be day trips or weekend trips staying overnght in Shannon.

FUTURE SEASON CAMP/REGATTA DATES

• 2026 Spring Camp - Sun 4 Oct to Fri 9 Oct
• 2026 Xmas Regatta Camp - Thu 10 Dec to Mon 14 Dec
  
• 2027 Summer Cam​​​​​​​p - TBC - Thu 14 to Mon 18 Jan
• 2027 KR2 - Selected Crews Only - Karapiro - Thu 28 to Sun 31 Jan
• TBC 2027 NISS - Karapiro - Thu 25 to Sun 28 Feb
• 2027 Maadi Regatta - Selected Crews - Karapiro - Fri 12 Mar to Sun 21 Mar
• ​​​​​​​2028 Summer Cam​​​​​​​p - TBC - Sat 8 to Wed 12 Jan
• 2028 NISS - Karapiro - Thu 10 to Sun 12 Mar
• 2028 Maadi Regatta - Selected Crews - Twizel - Wed 22 Mar to Sun 2 Apr

Camps

Samuel Marsden Rowing spend time away in Karapiro for training camp in October and Shannon or Whanganui in January.

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 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 to be considered for selection for Maadi Regatta typically through performances at the North Island Secondary School Championships. Refer to the Rowing Handbook for selection criteria.

Cost

Rowing incurs considerable costs.We endeavour to keep our costs to the minimum possible and are proud to offer such an extensive program at the following fees:

• Learn to Row fee is $150 including GST.

• Returning Rower Main Season fees will be confirmed once registration numbers are known but are estimated at $4,995 including GST

• Novice Rower Main Season fees will be confirmed once registration numbers are known but are estimated at $4,845 including GST

INCLUSIONS The fees include the following costs:

• Coaching and gym access
• Wellington Rowing Club subscription fee
• Camp costs – some food (families will be required to make a food/baking contribution for each out-of-Wellington camp), accommodation, transport, petrol
• Regatta costs – some food (families will be required to make a food/baking contribution for each out-of-Wellington regatta), accommodation, transport, entry fees, petrol
• Maintenance and repairs – boats, oars, cox boxes, trailers and all equipment
• Affiliation fees and administration cost

EXCLUSIONS The fees exclude the following costs:

• Flights to/from Hamilton – if your rower/cox attends these regattas - for attending Junior Regatta around $400 and for attending NISS around $400.  Please note that confirmation of attendance at Junior and NISS must be made by mid January - If attendance is confirmed by this date the flights are non-cancellable after this date and will be invoiced to you.

• Clothing/Uniform is a separate additional cost. Clothing for Novices – approx. $520 (incl GST) - Rowsuit (race uniform), short sleeve tech top, short sleeve travel top, bag, visor, cap, and WRC singlet.  There is also an optional long sleeve base layer and bucket hat.

• New plant purchases, skiffs, oars, coach boats, safety equipment, trailers etc. which are funded via fundraising, grants or sponsorship.

• There is an additional cost for selected returning rowers who attend Maadi Regatta.

Uniform

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

CONTACTS