Lake Ruataniwha has a purpose-built Albano rowing course that conformed to the International standards of the day. The lanes that are fully buoyed throughout the year, which allows for year round training. South Island Rowing is grateful to its principal sponsor, Meridian, for its ongoing interest and support. In particular their control of the water level and flow rate during Regattas in spite of the highly competitive environment in which they operate. South Island really appreciates their assistance here.

They operate a 2000m rowing course with 10 buoyed lanes, complete start facilities including camera alignment and the latest technical equipment in the finish to ensure accurate timing of races. Up to 8 umpire boats, a camera barge and rescue boats are available to ensure a smooth running of the events. The facilities can be used for rowing regattas as well as any other form of water based sporting competition such as canoeing.

The Oamaru Club is also lucky enough to have our own boat shed in the rowers area which houses our race boats and gives Oamaru a quiet space to prepare for races. 

All but one of our South Island regattas are held at Lake Ruataniwha, Twizel.  To get there, take the first left over the bridge past the Salmon Farm onto Max Smith Drive, and follow your way to the Rowing complex. 

Make sure to take a deck chair, picnic basket, and umbrella – binoculars if you have some are incredibly handy.  We have a large white marquee we put up for regattas, and most of our Oamaru supporters tend to set up on the grass area in front of that with a great view of the racing and your rowers.  There are coffee vans and food stalls at most regattas, Twizel township is a short drive away, otherwise a picnic lunch is great! 

You are welcome to watch your rower at the start line, just remember it’s a completely quiet zone!  We may even get the chance to do the boat holding again this year. 

We often have jobs throughout the regatta and trainings that we as families can help out with, don’t be afraid to put your hand up to help, you will be well supported by our families that have been around for a year or two!

The Aoraki Regatta, with only 350-450 competitors, is a great one to take a walk through the boat park area, down to the Oamaru Rowing Club shed (we share the space with Twizel, and our two clubs are the only ones with a permanent site).  This is where the crews prepare for races, coaches give the race plans and then de-brief crews after races. Your rowers launch the boats from here, and its where they return after their races before heading to the ORC tent to see you. It is an important space for coaches and athletes, so we ask supporters to please avoid this area after the Aoraki Regatta. It is a zone where we can let our coaches and rowers focus quietly on the task at hand.  You are very welcome and encouraged to head down and take a visit for the Aoraki regatta though, so please do make the most of the opportunity!

Keep an eye out for coaches and crews on bikes as you move around the regatta – they have right of way on the asphalt cycle track that runs the length of the lake in front of the Clubs and school tents. They are usually very focussed on their crews that are racing rather than the path in front of them! In the boat park area you will need to watch for crews loading and unloading boats onto the racks that line the driveway.

We would love your help at the ORC tent during the day – our rowers are fully catered for by our catering team at regattas. We keep the tent well stocked with food for the athletes who are encouraged to come here to catch up with you, eat, and rest in the shade between races. This is a space for all our supporters to enjoy as well, so please feel welcome to sit and relax, and hang out in the shade! 

We can’t always be there to cheer our rowers on in person, but we can livestream most regattas and follow all results by using the www.rowit.co.nz website.  The day sheets for regattas are normally up a couple of days before the regatta starts, and you can filter to show races for Oamaru rowers, or your Oamaru rower in particular. 

Sharon Bennet Photography is often at regattas and her facebook page is worth keeping an eye on after racing, she has taken some beautiful photos of our rowers in the past.  Rowing Pictureshow is another one that takes some stunning photos, and is worth checking out! 

We hope your rowers absolutely love their regatta experiences, and we want you all feel welcome and thoroughly enjoy your time watching them as well.  Our families and supporters are a huge and vital part of what makes Oamaru Rowing Club special, and we can’t wait to see you up at the Lake!