There was plenty of sunshine, sausages and racing as Wellington Rowing Club opened the 2026/27 season in style by taking out the Redding Shield.

The annual Redding Shield regatta was held on the Wellington waterfront on Sunday, with crews from clubs and schools around the region descending on the 500m course from Queens Wharf to Te Papa for the first racing of the new season.

While there may have been a few cobwebs to blow away after the winter break, there was no shortage of enthusiasm. Racing was keenly contested, and the regatta ended with the Redding Shield heading back to the club, along with the satisfaction of repainting the Top Dog trophy for top Wellington club in burgundy and white.

The result has a nice piece of history attached to it, too. WRC was the first-ever winner of the Redding Shield when the trophy was inaugurated in the 1920s, making it particularly fitting to have the shield back in the clubrooms as the 2026/27 season gets under way.

But the day was about more than winning trophies. With beautiful weather, racing taking place right in the heart of the city and good crowds lining the waterfront, the regatta was a terrific advertisement for rowing – and for Wellington itself.

The WRC sausage sizzle was doing brisk business, while the club's ergs provided an opportunity for passersby to have a go at rowing for themselves. For some, it was a first taste of the sport; for others, perhaps a useful reminder that rowing looks considerably easier from dry land.

Thanks to everyone who competed, coached, officiated, volunteered, supported and came along to watch. It was a great way to kick off the new season – and with the Redding Shield safely back at WRC, we're looking forward to seeing what the rest of 2026/27 brings.

See the full Redding Shield results on RowIT.

Article added: Monday 14 September 2026