HISTORY

WAIKATO ROWING CLUB’S STORY

(a Not-so-brief Retrospective 1960-1990”)

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On 13th June 1960, a meeting to discuss the formation of the Waikato Rowing Club was convened by Jack Worth and Bill Eaddy, which was attended by a dozen or so interested persons. All present were unanimous in support of the proposals and a public meeting was called for 28th June to discuss the formation of a new club. The public meeting was attended by 30 people. 

 

Jack Worth outlined the reasons for calling the meeting and advised those present that the Roose Shipping Company shed under the traffic bridge would be available and that a well-wisher was prepared to advance finance towards purchase of plant. After further discussion, it was moved by Jack Worth and seconded by Ian Thorpe that a new rowing club be formed in Hamilton. The resolution was carried unanimously. The name Waikato Rowing Club was chosen after considerable discussion and a vote between it and the name of Southern Cross Rowing Club. Thus, the Waikato Rowing Club was born. 

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It was then decided that the first Annual General Meeting of the Club be held on July 12. At this meeting the following members were elected:

R. Andrews; A.J. Auld; P.J. Baddeley; L.W. Brown; W.E. J. Burborough; R.E. Campbell; S.R. Carroll; G.M. Cawood; N.R. Cox; W.H. Eaddy; C.R. Goodley; D. Harrison; M.D. Jonson; W.B.A. Jonson; D. McLeod; P. Murphy; M.H. Pulman; M.E. Pulman; G.I.F. Thorpe; C.C. Warren; B.I. Waters; J. Worth. A draft constitution was submitted to the meeting which, following  discussion and amendments, was approved.

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Those elected as the first officers of the club were: Patron: Dr D. Rogers (Mayor of Hamilton); Commodore: Mr. J. Watts; President: Mr D. McLeod; Vice presidents: Messrs C. Roose, M. Pulman, W. Jonson and J. Wilson; Club Captain: J. Worth; Vice-captain: G. Cawood; Secretary: P. Baddeley; Treasurer: D. Harrison; Executive committee: R. Andrews, L. Brown, S. Carroll, N. Cox, N.I. Jonson, I. Thorpe.

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The club then set about raising funds and a new eight-oared boat and oars were ordered from Sargent and Burton, boat builders of Sydney. An interest-free loan by Bill Eaddy made this possible.

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With the rowing season fast approaching, the Ngaruawahia Rowing Club generously donated two training fours for the club’s use and the Mercer club loaned a training eight. An additional order was lodged with Sargent and Burton for a new racing four and pair/double.

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David Harrison was the club’s sole entry in the season’s first regatta at Taranaki and in winning the maiden singles he became the club’s first regatta winner. Harrison won again at the Whangarei regatta the following weekend, where the club boated its first senior eight to take third placing. The crew was: Warren Cole, Jack Worth, Gil Cawood, Peter Baddeley, Selwyn Carroll, Rex Andrews, Mick Jonson, Graeme Warren and cox Doug Pulman.

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In January, 1961, the club took delivery of the new racing eight from Sargent and Burton and competed with success at all regattas for the remainder of the season, culminating with Harrison winning the maiden singles title at the New Zealand championships in Wellington. Active membership was 30, in addition to eight schoolboy members from Fairfield College where the club took over the coaching under the tuition of Bill Eaddy.

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1961-62

The club entered the 1961-62 season, after a winter of various fund-raising activities, with a coaching launch and the use of the Roose Shipping Company’s wharf building to house plant. In an outstandingly successful season the club won 54 races, with 15 seconds and 12 third placings—all with a total of only three boats.

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At the national championships the club won the Centennial Oar, a trophy donated by the Canterbury Rowing Club to commemorate its 100th anniversary. This trophy was for the club gaining most points at the New Zealand championships and it was somewhat remarkable that the trophy, donated by the oldest club in the country, should be won by the youngest. Individual highlights included the outstanding performances of the maiden eight of Max Taylor, Cohn Keith, Bruce Waters, Ron Cuff, Keith Bradbury, Roger Kenah, Mike Dent, Jake Pulman and cox Doug Pulman with 12 consecutive victories, including a convincing NZ title win, and the unbeaten youth four of Taylor, Cuff, Allan Dowling, Bradbury and Pulman (cox) with nine wins, including the national title.

The senior eight of Bob Goddard, Dave Harrison, Peter Baddeley, Rex Andrews, Alec Auld, Wiet Houtman, Mick Jonson, Graeme Warren and Pulman (cox) was a close runner-up to current national champion Union (Wanganui).

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1962-63

The club entered the 1962-63 season with vigour and early season projects included the erection of a clubhouse at Lake Karapiro to enable crews to take advantage of excellent water for weekend training. Large enough to hold eight boats, it took only one weekend to complete.

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Waikato gained its first New Zealand representative when Doug Pulman was selected to cox the New Zealand four at the Perth Commonwealth Games. He came home with a gold medal. The club’s colours were altered from a red, green and gold sash to a red, gold and green V-yoke on a white T-shirt.

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An outstanding record of 98 regatta wins was chalked up in a highly successful season.  The season’s top performances came from the junior eight of Bruce Waters, Cohn Keith, John Pinfold, Peter Johnson, Max Taylor, Brian De Bell, Keith Bradbury, Stewart Byrne, and Denis Edwards (cox), the junior four of Taylor, Pinfold, Johnson, Waters and Edwards (cox), the lightweight four of Mick Jonson, Barry Robinson, Roger Kenah, Bob Currie and Bill Dent (cox), and the novice four of Alec Duncan, Dudley Scantlebury, Alan Jeffs, Barry McNair and Gary Robertson (cox), who all added to their impressive regatta records by convincingly winning their respective events at the NZ championships.

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The senior eights and pairs both filled third places at the championships and once again the club won the Centennial Oar. Under Bill Eaddy’s guidance the Fairfield College eight put up an outstanding performance to take a close second placing in the Maadi Cup, New Zealand’s premier schoolboy event.

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1963-64

During the 1963-64 season the club obtained a lease of the Roose building for a term of five years, considerable alterations were made to the interior to adequately house the plant and the outside of the shed was painted.

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But the real highlight of the season was the performance of the senior eight crew of Alec Auld, Dave Harrison, Gil Cawood, Bob Geck, John Pinfold, Ron Cuff, Alan Dowling, Peter Johnson and Denis Edwards (cox) in notching 13 wins, including the club’s first “Red Coats” in the national championships at Lake Waihola.

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1964-65

The club entered its fifth season (1964-65) with 40 active rowers and 37 schoolboys—the increase in schoolboys being brought about by the affiliation of Hamilton Boys’ High School under the guidance of Bill Eaddy.  Although the season record of 86 wins from 16 regattas was not as high as in recent seasons, it was still a good effort in view of the fact that other clubs had adopted similar training methods and were beginning to emerge in force.

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Best performed crew of the season was the light weight four of Mick Jonson, Barry Robinson, Roger Kenah, Bruce Waters and Cohn Maisey (cox), with 15 wins including the N.Z. title. The senior eight, with three crew changes, did not retain its title, finishing in second place. The ARA premiership trophy was again won by the club. The Hamilton Boys’ High School senior four also did well, winning 11 races including New Zealand’s premier schoolboy fours event—the Springbok Shield. The crew comprised Garth Craig, Mike McCowan, Ross St George, Noel McBeth and Cohn Maisy (cox).

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So in only five seasons the club had progressed by leaps and bounds to become the strongest and largest in the country, largely due to the outstanding leadership and example of Jack Worth, ably supported by Bill Eaddy, Peter Baddeley, Barry Robinson and President Don McLeod.

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1965-66

Although not reaching the heights of previous seasons in 1965-66, the club still performed creditably, particularly in the lower grades, and again won the ARA premiership trophy for the fourth year in succession.

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The highlights were the National Championship wins of the youths 8 of Garth Craig, Phil Clough, Martin Cole, Les Waters, Graeme Simpson, Dennis Corbett, Bruce Maisey, Blair Schertenlieb and Cohn Maisey (cox), and the lightweight four of Mick Jonson, Barry Robinson. Barry Fraser, Roger Kenah and Donald Burrows (cox). The club gained its second New Zealand representative when Gil Cawood was selected for the NZ eight to compete in Australia. A foundation member of the club, Gil had been the mainstay of most of the club’s senior crews since its inception.

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1966-67

The 1966-67 season was the first in which the club had failed to win a title at the New Zealand championships, although a total of 64 regatta races were won. Gil Cawood was again selected in the NZ eight, this time to compete in Canada, where it was successful in winning the North American championship.

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The club was again unsuccessful at the national championships the following season and was unable to boat a senior eight-oared crew. But there were signs of better things to come, with a total of 81 regatta wins during the season, a promising junior eight and four, and the club’s novice eight and four finishing third and second respectively at the New Zealand championships.

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Fairfield College joined Boys’ High in the record books when John Kay, Derek Devoy, Ian Drower, Malcolm Henderson and Clive Patterson (cox) won the Springbok Shield at the NZ secondary schools championships. Gil Cawood again made the New Zealand eight, which finished fourth at the Mexico Olympics.

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1968-69

The 1968-69 season was undoubtedly the club’s most successful to date, the record being 140 wins, 84 seconds and 47 third placings from 14 regattas. Highlights of the season were the performances of the junior eight (Garth Craig, Ross St George, Martin Cole, Bruce Wilson, Lindsay Wilson, Kevin Bremer, Dick Piddock, Warwick Oliver and cox Clive Patterson), junior four (Garth Craig, Ross St George, Bruce and Lindsay Wilson and Patterson cox.) In maiden eight (John Kay, Derek Devoy, Malcolm Henderson, David Wilson, Robbie Robinson, Peter Gleeson, Bruce Waite Mark Vincent and cox Mike Greenland).

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Each won its respective national title after highly successful regatta seasons. The Centennial Oar was also won for the third time. Local schools were dominant at the school champs, Hamilton Boys’ High regaining the Springbok Shield with its four of Peter McVinnie, Mark Vincent, Grant Nissen, Garry Turner and John Peat (cox), while Fairfield College finished second.

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1969-70

With only 10 regattas in the 1969-70 season, the club still managed to win 88 races and gained first placings at the NZ championships with its maiden eight (Brian Dale, Donald Reid, Garry Turner, Neil Brewerton, David Scott, Malcolm Reid, Tom Van Zoehen, Robert Park and cox Murray Maxwell), and youth eight (Peter McVinnie, Mark Vincent, Garry Turner, Neil Brewerton, Danny Keane, Donald Reid, Robert Park, Malcolm Reid and cox Murray Maxwell).

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Waikato was third in both the junior and senior eights finals—the first time in several seasons that a senior eight-oared crew had been boated. The club retained the inter-club premiership trophy for the seventh time in its 10-year history.

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A highly successful schoolboy season saw Hamilton Boys’ High win the much coveted Maadi Cup with its crew of Owen Hick, Mark Vincent, James Corbett, Richard Davies, Kevin Clayton-Greene, Graeme Loe, Selwyn Castles, Stephen Thomas and cox Stuart Patterson, while Fairfield College took the Springbok Shield with its four of Norris Cox, Murray Bertram, Malcolm Kerr, John Mahon and cox Rhys Haman.

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1970-71

The 1970-71 season saw the club once again firmly established in the senior ranks and members gaining international honours. Gil Cawood was selected in the NZ eight that finished third at the world championships in Canada, while both Lindsay and David Wilson were selected for the European tour later in the season. Unfortunately David was forced to withdraw to undergo an operation, Lindsay returned with an eights gold medal from the European championships in Copenhagen.

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On the home scene the club again won the inter-club premiership with its first win in the novice eights. Crew was: Max Marsh, John Hanan, Hamish Henderson, Ross Moodie, Neil Edwards, Ron Boyle, Peter Templeton, Don Walker and Murray Maxwell (cox). Hamilton Boys’ High continued its fine record in schoolboy rowing with Peter Wood, Kevin Loe, Graeme Loe, Brian Insoll and cox Geoff Turner winning the Springbok Shield.

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1971-72

Waikato won the inter-club premiership for the 10th time and although failing to win at the NZ championships was placed second in eight events, including the narrowest of defeats by a mere six inches in the senior fours.

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Hamilton Boys’ High (Peter Wood, Kevin Loe, Greg Ball, Rod Shelton and cox Geoff Turner) retained the Springbok Shield, David Wilson was selected in the colts crew to tour Australia, and Lindsay Wilson and Warren Cole were selected in the team for the Munich Olympic Games.

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1972-73

Highlight of the 1972-73 season was the performance of the senior eight. After two years as runner-up at the NZ championships, the crew of Warren Cole, Ivan Sutherland, Lindsay Wilson, Danny Keane, Bruce Fletcher, Robbie Robinson, Martin Cole, David Wilson and Murray Maxwell (cox) turned the tables on their opponents and took the title convincingly. They became the club’s second champion senior eight-oared crew and gave Peter Baddeley his second senior championship win as coach.

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Andrew Loe, Brent Atherfold, Paul Irons. Barry Loe and cox Norm Yorston won Boys’ High the Springbok Shield for the fifth time. Another highlight of the season was the win of the New Zealand eight, which included Lindsay Wilson, at the Munich Olympics, while Greg Ball and Frank Sheehan were selected for the eight to contest the world junior championships at Nottingham.

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1973-74

The premiership was won for the 11th time in the club’s 14 years of existence in the 1973-74 season, but the only NZ championship success came from the youth eight of Peter Wood, Frank Sheehan, Guy Pierce, Greg Ball, Greg Davis, and Matt Satherley. Campbell Chitty, Peter Bostock and cox Max Tucker.

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Feature of this event was that the club’s no. 2 crew, which comprised the Hamilton Boys’ High eight, took second placing. The school eight was second in the Maadi Cup and incredibly the Springbok Shield was again won by Andrew Loe, David Graham, Paul Irons, Barry Loe and Norm Yorston (cox).

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Phillip Duncan, Robbie Robinson and Howard Windelborn were selected in the NZ Colts crews that competed successfully in Australia early in the season, while Lindsay Wilson, Robinson and Danny Keane were selected for the Lucerne world championships. Wilson and Keane were in the bonze medal-winning eight.

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1974-75

Bad weather marred the 1974-75 national championships at Lake Waihola forcing cancellation, except for the senior events transferred to Lake Karapiro. Waikato was third in both the senior eights and fours.

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The club host the inter-club premiership trophy for the first time in many years and Boys’ High lost the Springbok Shield for the first time in seven years. Howard Windelborn and Greg Ball made the NI Colts eight, while once again Lindsay Wilson was selected in the NZ eight for the world championships in England and Windelborn in the NZ coxed four.

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1975-76

The 1975-76 season turned out to be one of the best in the club’s history. Six titles were won at the New Zealand championships at Lake Karapiro, Hamilton Boys’ High regained the Springbok Shield and the club won 106 races during the season to regain the Auckland premiership trophy by a wide margin.

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Successful title winners were:

Junior eight: Peter Rowbotham; Roger Batley; Graeme Ancell; David Clayton-Greene; Stewart Rae; Duncan Graham; Mark James; Ross Dormer and Alan Cotter (cox).

Junior coxed pair: — James; Clayton-Greene and Cotter (cox).

Junior double: Gordon Randle; Brian Hall. Maiden double: Martin Cole and Frank Sheehan.

Youths eight: Ross Lowry; Lachie Cameron; Mark Brunton; Eric Kjestrup; Keith Penny; Greg Johnston; Mark Pickett; Ian Williams and Norm Yorston (cox).

Youth four: Lowry; Cameron; Brunton; Kjestrup and Yorston (cox).

Springbok Shield four: Lowry; Cameron; Brunton; Kjestrup and David Lowe (cox).

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The Fairfield College eight took third placing in the Maadi Cup. Greg Ball, Frank Sheehan and Geoff Signal were selected in the NZ Colts crews which competed successfully in Australia early in the season, while Danny Keane, David Rodger and Lindsay Wilson were selected for the Olympic team to Montreal.

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The “spec house” built the previous season was disposed of during the year, increasing the building fund to about $15,000. The club later began negotiations with Roose Shipping Company to buy its office block to be incorporated in a proposed new clubhouse.

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1976-77

Waikato won two national titles at Lake Horowhenua in the 1976-77 season and narrowly retained the Auckland premiership trophy with 82 season wins. David Rodger and Danny Keane won the club’s first champion coxless pairs title, while the successful junior eight comprised: Mark James; Grant Turner; Keith Penny; Greg Johnson; David Horwood; Stan Wright; Ross Lowry; Ross Dormer and Alan Sherson (cox).

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But in the “big” races it was a day of disappointment with the club’s champion eight beaten by Petone by a mere four inches in the closest finish ever at a NZ championship, and the champion coxed pair narrowly beaten after a mishap just short of the finish.

In a low budget international year in anticipation of the world championships to be held at Lake Karapiro the following year, Dave Clayton-Greene was selected in the NZ Colts eight for an internal tour and Dave Rodger was named in the coxless four that brought back a silver medal from the Amsterdam world championship. Harry Mahon became the club’s first coach to gain international honours when appointed to coach the four and Warren Cole was appointed to manage the tour. In addition Peter Baddeley gained the honour of being elected to the New Zealand selection panel.

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1977-78

Another highly successful season in 1977-78 saw the club win five national titles at Lake Karapiro, including its third successive junior eight championship. It was one of the club’s best ever seasons in the premier class, winning its third champion eights title and the coveted coxed fours title for the first time. Dave Rodger and Danny Keane retained their coxless pair’s title. The Club’s No. 2 crew finished fifth in the eights final to illustrate the current depth in the premier class.

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The champion eight comprised Mark James, Robbie Robinson, David Rodger, Greg Johnston, Lindsay Wilson, David Clayton-Greene, Bob De Leeuw, Geoff Signal and Alan Cotter (cox). Rodger, Johnston, Wilson, Robinson and Cotter (cox) made up the successful coxed four.

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Other title-winning crews:— Junior eight: Ross Lowry; Ross Dormer; Grant Turner; Steven Menzies; Dave Horwood; Stan Wright; Keith Penny; Carlo Gregory and Alan Sherson (cox). Novice coxed pair: Robbie Mcintosh; Tony Kane and Carry Cotter (cox).

With the world championships being held at Lake Karapiro later in the year there was much interest in team selection and the club gained a strong representation. Those selected were: Mark James, Greg Johnston, Dave Rodger and Alan Cotter in the bronze medal eight; Robbie Robinson in the coxless four; Danny Keane in the coxed four; and David Clayton-Greene in the coxed pair. In addition Harry Mahon was appointed coach of the eight, Kevin Bremer coach of the pair-oared crews and Warren Cole as team manager.

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1978-79

An eight, coxed four, coxless four and coxed pair were purchased from the all-conquering East German team after the championships. A coxless pair was added later. Despite the late start the club was once again very successful, winning the Auckland Premiership trophy yet again and recording 99 regatta wins.

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The championship eight and coxed four titles were retained at the NZ championships on Lake Waihola by Harry Mahon’s crews, and the senior (previously known as junior) coxed and coxless pairs titles added by the Horan brothers, Geoff and Alan. Mark James took over the stroke seat of the champion coxed four with David Rodger concentrating on the coxless boats, while the eight comprised: Ross Lowry; Robbie Robinson; Mark James; Greg Johnston; Lindsay Wilson; David Clayton-Greene; Chris Thorsen; Roger Batley and Alan Cotter (cox).

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Eight members of the club gained national honours during the season, with Mark James, Greg Johnston, Robbie Robinson and Alan Cotter (cox) in the silver medal eight at the world championships in Yugoslavia, Alan Horan in the coxless four to the world junior championships in Moscow and Geoff Horan in the NZ colts eight for the internal series against Australia. Kevin Bremer was appointed coach of the junior crews and Harry Mahon was in charge of the colts crews. There was a marked resurgence in school rowing in Hamilton during the season and the three schools rowing from the club gained a total of 43 wins at school regattas.

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1979-80

A large upsurge in active membership up to 100 in the 1979-80 season was due largely to the increased numbers of schoolboys rowing for the club, thanks to the efforts of Glenn Ross (Hamilton boys’ High) and Terry McCarthy (Fairfield College).

A firm of professional fund-raisers was employed to help raise funds for the proposed new clubhouse in Hamilton and the sum of $70,000 was raised by way of dedicated gifts from members, ex-members and well wishers. Work on the clubhouse began in September 1980. In another successful season the Auckland premiership trophy was won again by a large margin. 107 regatta wins were recorded.

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The club’s champion coxed four of Mark James, Greg Johnston, Lindsay Wilson, Robbie Robinson and Alan Cotter (cox) retained its national title for the third year in succession. But, unfortunately, the eights title was not retained due to a mishap in the final, delayed a week because of relentless winds at Lake Horowhenua.

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A record number of 10 members gained national honours during the year. Harry Mahon (coxed fours coach), Alan Cotter (cox), Lindsay Wilson, Dave Rodger, Greg Johnston and Robbie Robinson were all named in the team for the Moscow Olympics but because of well known reasons made an alternative tour of Europe instead. Kevin Bremer (coach), Chris White, Geoff Horan and Alan Horan were all selected in the New Zealand colts team to tour Australia in September and October this year.

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1980-81

This season was the first of a succession of outstanding club performances and the Club took three national titles at the New Zealand championships these being:

Champion Coxed Pairs: Chris White, Greg Johnston and Noel Parris (cox).

Champion Coxless Pairs: Dave Rodger, Robbie Robinson.

Champion Eights: Dave Rodger, Robbie Robinson, Chris White, Greg Johnston, Ross Dormer. Steve Menzies, Geoff Horan, Allan Horan and Richard Palmer (cox).

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An excellent season was experienced by all crews, the Club winning 132 races and once again won the Auckland Premiership Trophy for the 17th time in 21 seasons. Once again the Club was well represented internationally. Dave Rodger, Greg Johnston, Chris White, Robbie Robinson, and Harry Mahon (coach) were all selected to the New Zealand Eight which competed at the World Championships at Munich. Nigel Atherfold and Richard Palmer (cox) were also selected to the successful Colts Eight which competed against New South Wales in New Zealand.

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During the winter months of 1980 work commenced on our new Club house and the season was the last in our old Club sheds which had served us so well for most of our brief time in existence. The financial support given by members and ex members was outstanding and without their help, the new Club house would never have been started. We were particularly indebted to Barry Robinson and Alan Tate for their tireless efforts in establishing our new Club rooms. The only sad aspect of the year was the sudden death of Wiet Houtman who had served the club so well during our early years, as an active oarsman, and in later years as an administrator and coach.

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1981-82

The successes of the previous season carried on into this season with the club gaining two more national titles by retaining the Coxed Pairs and the Eights title. The Champion coxed Pairs was won by Chris White and Andrew Stevenson with Andrew Hay as cox, and our Eight oared crew consisted of Chris White, Andrew Stevenson, Dave Rodger, Alan Horan, Geoff Horan, Bruce Holden, Chris Thorsen, Ross Dormer and Richard Palmer as cox. Once again these successful crews were coached by Harry Mahon. The club also had considerable success in lower grades at the National championships in winning the Senior Fours with Richard Bindon, Nigel Atherfold, Tim Clarke, Warren Jonson and Noel Parris (cox); the Senior coxed pairs with Richard Bindon, Nigel Atherfold, and Noel Parris (cox) and Junior Fours of John Loe, Mark Auld, Rhys Ellison, Mark Hornabrook and Richard Palmer as cox. With 118 wins for the season the club again retained the Auckland Premiership trophy.

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The season again saw the club well represented in international events. David Rodger, Andrew Stevenson, Chris White and Harry Mahon (coach) were all members of the New Zealand Eight which won the Gold Medal at the World championships in Switzerland. Richard Bindon, Nigel Atherfold and Richard Palmer (cox) were all members of the successful New Zealand Colts eight which enjoyed a clean sweep of all races in Australia. During the early part of the season our new Club shed was almost completed and we were able to operate from it during the rowing season. With much improved facilities we had more room to move and in the latter part of the season the old Club shed was demolished. Membership remained much the same as in previous seasons and in all grades the club performed with distinction.

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1982-83

Membership was about the same as in previous seasons and although the club performed well during the season we lost the Auckland Premiership trophy to the strong North Shore club, for the first time in many years. The club however won three titles at the New Zealand championships and once again were well represented in international crews.

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Titles won were:

Champion Coxed Pairs: Chris While, Andrew Stevenson and Richard Palmer (cox).

Champion Coxless Fours: David Rodger. Alan Horan, Ross Dormer. Ross Tong.

Champion Eights: Chris White, Andrew Stevenson, Nigel Atherfold, Dave Rodger, B. Holden, Geoff Horan, Allan Horan and Richard Palmer (cox.)

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In all the club won 92 races during the season. On the international scene the New Zealand Eight again won the Gold Medal at the World Championships at Duisburg West Germany and also took the Gold Medal in the Coxed Fours, to record New Zealand’s best performance ever at World championships. No fewer than four club members comprised the victorious eight namely: Dave Rodger, Andrew Stevenson, Chris White and Nigel Atherfold and the crew was once again coached by Harry Mahon. In addition Greg Johnston returned to the international scene as a member of the successful New Zealand Coxed Fours crew. In addition Alan Horan was selected as reserve for both crews.

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For the first time in many years we had no representative in the New Zealand Colts Eights. Crews from Hamilton Boys High School also performed creditably and the top eight was a close second at the Maadi Cup Regatta. Fairfield College decided to sever their connections with the club due to the fact that we could not cater for all of their members. A new Coxed Pair was purchased during the year and the club also purchased a new towing truck to replace our old one which had come to the end of its days. Various fund raising activities were embarked upon to pay for this plant and to repay our mortgage on the new building. Due to lack of finance the club was not able to complete the upstairs portion of the new building and work on this continued as funds permitted.

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1983-84

This season saw an upsurge in active membership due largely to the success of our international crews and very active participation by school crews from Hamilton Boys High. The season was by far the most successful ever in the club’s brief history and the club won a total of 193 races at Regattas including a record number of nine wins at the New Zealand championships. The club was dominant at all Regattas and regained the Auckland Premiership trophy with a record number of points and for the first time in many years won the Centennial Oar points trophy at the New Zealand championships, a trophy which has become increasingly hard to win as the club has no women members. Crews from the Hamilton Boys High School were also prominent in the successes of the club.

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Our championship winners were:

Champion Eights: Geoff Horan. Andrew Stevenson, Chris White, Greg Johnston, Ross Tong, Nigel Atherfold, Dave Rodger, Allan Horan and Brett Hollister (cox).

Champion Coxed Fours: Ross Tong, Greg Johnston, Chris White, Andrew Stevenson and Brett Holhister (cox).

Champion Coxless Fours: Dave Rodger, Nigel Atherfold, Bruce Holden and Allan Horan.

Champion Coxed Fairs: Chris White, Greg Johnston and Brett Hollister (cox).

Senior Eight: Simon Koller, Warren Jonson, Tim Clarke, Charlie Graham, Ian Wright, Geoff Taylor, Dave Carlson, Martin Lade and Wayne Cotter (cox).

Senior Coxless Fours: Tim Clarke, Charlie Graham, Dave Carlson and Geoff Taylor.

Senior Coxless Pairs: Ian Wright and Warren Jonson.

Intermediate Quad Sculls: Geoff Horan, Dave Rodger, Bruce Holden, and Ross Dormer.

Senior Coxed Fours: Tim Clarke, Warren Jonson, Ian Wright, Charlie Graham.

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Once again Harry Mahon coached the premier crews and Alan Cotter was the coach of the successful senior crews. The club also boasted a record number of its oarsmen in the international crews, no fewer than fourteen members being selected. Andrew Stevenson, Chris White, Greg Johnston, Dave Rodger, Nigel Atherfold were selected to the New Zealand Eight for the Olympic Games at Los Angeles and once again Harry Mahon was appointed as coach. Ross Tong was selected for the Coxed Four with Brett Hollister as cox and Geoff and Allan Horan were selected as the Coxless Pair. Our representatives in the Colts Eight in Australia were: Warren Jonson, Geoff Taylor and Dave Carlson and Simon Koller became our first lightweight representative.

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1984-85

Once again the Club’s membership remained fairly static with strong representation in all grades and our resources were stretched to the limit. However excellent performances were achieved all through the grades and the Club won 152 races during the season to regain the Premiership Points Trophy from North Shore despite their overwhelming numbers. This was the 20th time in the 25 year history of the Club that this prestigious trophy was won by Waikato.

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The Club enjoyed a very successful Championship at Lake Ruataniwha by winning all five sweep oar titles and also the Intermediate Eights and Junior Coxed Pairs and once again won the Centennial Oar for the sixth time.

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Our Championship winners were:

Champion Eights: Geoff Horan, Warren Jonson, Ian Wright, Nigel Atherfold, Chris White, Bruce Holden, Brett Cooper, Charlie Graham and Brett Hollister (cox).

Champion Coxed Fours: Ross Tong, Nigel Atherfold, Chris White, Bruce Holden and Brett Hollister (cox).

Champion Coxed Pairs: Chris White, Bruce Holden and Brett Hollister (cox).

Champion Coxless Fours: Dave Rodger, Andrew Stevenson, Ross Tong, Allan Horan.

Champion Coxless Pairs: Allan Horan, Ross Tong.

Intermediate Eights: Campbell Clayton Greene, Lawrence Wickers, Eddie Clemens, Bill Coventry, Chris Luhrs, Brent Ardern, David Craig, Lloyd Atherfold and Russell Robson (cox).

Junior Coxed Fours: Campbell Clayton Greene, Bill Coventry, David Craig, Lawrence Wickers and Russell Robson (cox).

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Once again, Harry Mahon coached the Premier Crews and Warren Cole was the successful coach of the Intermediate and Junior Crews. Our Senior Crews also performed well gaining several placings. These crews were coached by Alan Cotter. Once again several of our members gained New Zealand representation. Geoff Horan, Nigel Atherfold, Bruce Holden, Dave Rodger, Allan Horan and cox Brett Hollister were selected to the New Zealand Eight along with coach Harry Mahon and Ross Tong was selected in the New Zealand Coxless Fours crew. Martin Eade was selected in the Lightweight Crew to compete against Australia and both Bill Coventry and Campbell Clayton Greene were included in the successful New Zealand Junior Crew against Australia.

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One of the highlights of the season was the arranging of a major sponsorship with the K Market through two of our Club stalwarts, Brian Dale and Bernard Murphy. This sponsorship has been a terrific advancement for the Club and has enabled us to keep our mortgage repayments up to date and to update our plant. A new KIRS Eight was purchased during the season and several of our older boats were renovated. Also, the Club premiers were given the use of a set of Croker oars and if successful at the NZ Champs, to be gifted to the Club, which was accordingly done.

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Also during the season the Clubrooms were virtually completed and started to generate income. Masters rowing gained popularity during the season and at the first Masters Championship held at Auckland our old stalwarts of Alex Auld, Dave Harrison, Gil Cawood, and Phil Clough won their age event.

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1985-86

This season saw an increase in Club membership, particularly in the Premier and Senior ranks and once again our resources were severely stretched, both with plant and coaches particularly Harry Mahon (Premiers) and Alan Cotter (Seniors and Lightweights), were stretched to the limit. The Karlisch Eight was completely renovated during the season and at the end of the season we took delivery of a new coxless pair.

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Despite our difficulties we had one of our most successful seasons ever and during the season the Club won 170 races and once again took the Centennial Oar at the New Zealand Championships. We won the Champion Eights for the tenth time in our Club’s history and also took the Coxed Fours and the Coxed Pairs for the sixth time. We also seriously contested the Champion Lightweight events for the first time for many years with a win in the Champion Lightweight Coxless. Pairs and a very close second in the Coxless Fours.

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Our Championship winners were:

Champion Eights: Geoff Horan, Ross Dormer, Ian Wright, Greg Johnston, Chris White, Warren Jonson, Robin French, Charlie Graham and Wayne Cotter (cox).

Champion Coxed Fours: Bruce Holden, Greg Johnston, Chris White, Nigel Atherfold and Wayne Cotter (cox).

Champion Coxed Pairs: Chris White, Greg Johnston and Russell Robson (cox).

Champion Lightweight Coxless Pairs: Simon Koller, Martin Eade.

Senior Eights: Campbell Clayton Greene, Bill Coventry, David Craig, Mike Tamis, Chris Luhrs, Steve Krielen, Craig Johnson, Geoff Taylor and Russell Robson (cox).

Intermediate Eights: Ken Atkins, Graeme Gleeson, Garry Kyle, Greg Cole, Rick McKnight, Bryce Taylor, Shane Stephens, Murray Paterson and Wayne Cotter (cox).

Intermediate Fours: Ken Atkins, Graeme Gleeson, Garry Kyle, Greg Cole and Paul Dale (cox).

Intermediate Coxed Pairs: Steven Borlase, Darren Young and Paul Dale (cox).

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The Club was again indebted to K Market for their continued sponsorship which went a long way towards covering our needs. It was with regret that the Club heard of the sudden death of Don McLeod during the season. Don was one of the foundation members of the Club and as President during the early years, guided the Club on a stable path and was largely responsible for the good administration in those early years, which have carried on as a result of his sensible and practical management.

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Once again the Club was well represented with eight members selected to represent New Zealand at the Commonwealth Games and World Championships, these being—Bruce Holden, Greg Johnston, Chris White, Nigel Atherfold and coach Harry Mahon who were selected as crew and coach for the Coxed Fours, Ian Wright who was selected to the eight oared crew, and Martin Eade and Simon Killer who were selected for the Lightweight Coxless Fours.

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The Club was also well represented in the NZ Senior B crews to race against Australia in Tasmania. Campbell Clayton Greene. Robin French and Bill Coventry were all selected for the eight oared crew and Ken Atkins was selected for the Lightweight Four. In addition Alan Cotter was appointed coach of the Lightweight Four. The Club has now passed the quarter century mark in its history and in this short time has already created many records and achievements which will be hard to surpass. Since its inception the Club has won 2294 races at Regattas throughout the country, this number of wins being far in excess of any other club, most of who have been in existence for close on 100 years or more.

 

During its existence, the Club has won 29 Premier Championship titles and 1 Lightweight Championship title and ranks fourth in the overall list of titles achieved over the past 125 years when rowing was first introduced into New Zealand. Ten of these titles are for the Champion Eights, the blue ribbon event of any New Zealand Championships, which is a remarkable achievement in only 25 years. The Club has produced 40 New Zealand representatives in Premier, Colts, Junior and Lightweight rowing, all of whom have performed creditably for their country.