Regattas and Training Camps for Parents - How do they work?
As a parent, your main job at a regatta is to cheer on crews, enjoy yourself and get to know other parents!
Who do we race?
Nelson Rowing Club is a club in its own right, so we can enter Club and School events. At the start of the rowing season we enter Club regattas in the South Island and then our crews compete for their schools at South Island Secondary Schools and New Zealand Secondary Schools Championships.
As a parent of a novice rower, please don’t be alarmed if you see your child up against an adult rower. This may be the case in novice events as all competitors will be first year rowers.
Who does what?
Pre-race crew meetings, getting crews on/off the water, rigging and checking correct racing gear is handled by the coaches and the athletes themselves. We do not expect parents to be running around after athletes who did not bring the right gear or turn up at the right time - this is the responsibility of the athlete
At no time are parents allowed in the Boat Park. This area is for coaches and rowers to be focused and ready for their races. Parents can catch up with their rower when they come back to the regatta tent.
What time do we race?
The coaches will make this known to the rowers at training, with communication being sent out when the official programme is known. In some cases, this may not be available until the evening before the regatta.
What should I bring?
Be prepared for four seasons in one day! (Especially in Twizel). Many parents bring a picnic rug, fold out chairs and a packed lunch. Binoculars, plenty of sunscreen, a hat and a warm jacket are recommended. At Twizel and Karapiro regattas there will also be food and merchandise kiosks.
Arrival and Departures
All details will be advised via email. We generally travel by bus to Twizel and in hired vans while in Karapiro. Parents will be responsible for transporting their rowers to and from training camps at Lake Rotoroa, this will be arranged via email. All rowers will be expected at the meeting point at the time indicated. This is usually the Rowing Club, or for those that live out further Three Brothers Corner. No rower may leave the regatta site before the end of boat loading, without the permission of the Regatta Manager.
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