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An Unforgettable Opening Day of Finals
The first day Maadi Regatta finals dawned with a layer of fog lingering over the area, but Lake Karāpiro remained clear, allowing racing to commence on schedule. This marks the first of two days where medals are fiercely contested, school chants echo with passion and pride, and parents and grandparents watch on with admiration as young athletes give their all on the water.
The Boys Under 17 Single Scull kicked off the finals, with George Benjamin of St Paul’s Collegiate surging ahead early and maintaining his lead to secure gold in a time of 7:50.57. The battle for silver and bronze came down to the wire, with Wakatipu High School's Charlie Manser narrowly edging out Whakatane High School's Ash Shultz by just 0.05 seconds. This marks the second time a St Paul’s Collegiate rower has claimed this title, following Riley Wills' victory in 2021.
GEORGE BENJAMIN OF ST PAUL’S COLLEGIATE TAKES GOLD IN THE BOYS UNDER 17 SINGLE SCULLS. PHOTO: PICTURE SHOW LTD
Waikato Diocesan delivered a dominant performance in the Girls Under 17 Coxed Four, winning in 7:46.71 with clear water ahead of Columba College and St Margaret's College, who claimed silver and bronze, respectively.
In the Boys Under 15 Double Sculls, Onslow College took an early lead, stretching clear by the halfway mark. Despite a determined sprint from St Andrew’s College, Onslow held firm to take gold, while St Andrew’s secured silver and Whakatane High School claimed bronze.
The Boys Under 18 Pair saw a commanding display from Westlake Boys High School's George Langley and Jack Buckley, coached by Andy Hay and Jordan Stanley. They powered to gold in 7:18.41, nearly nine seconds ahead of Sacred Heart College, while St Thomas of Canterbury produced a gritty performance to take bronze. Could this be the beginning of the coveted trifecta Westlake Boys is aiming for?
WESTLAKE BOYS HIGH SCHOOL PAIR CLAIM GOLD IN THE BOYS UNDER 18 PAIR. PHOTO: PICTURE SHOW LTD
North Island schools dominated the medal table until the Boys Under 16 Coxed Quad. At the 500m mark, the field was inseparable, but Otago Boys High School, coxed by Hunter Ruxton, surged ahead through the 1000m and stretched their lead to two boat lengths. In a fierce battle for silver and bronze, Auckland's St Kentigern College edged out Auckland Grammar School. Otago took gold in 6:45.60, marking the first victory of the regatta for a South Island school.
More South Island success followed in the Girls Under 16 Single Sculls, where Isla Moffett of Ashburton College delivered a commanding performance to win in 8:30.10. Coached by Justin Wall and Mary Hefford, Moffett's victory marks the fifth time in a decade that Ashburton College has won this event.
ISLA MOFFETT WINNER OF THE GIRLS UNDER 16 SINGLE SCULLS IS PRESENTED HER TROPHY AND MEDAL BY PREVIOUS WINNER VERONICA WALL. PHOTO: SHARRON BENNETT.
Waikato Diocesan's Novice Coxed Eight provided a thrilling finish, surging past Rangi Ruru Girls' School in the final 500m to snatch gold. Coxswain Amelia Settle shared her excitement:
“It was so exciting! In the last 500m, we weren’t winning, but then we came ahead. Hearing the buzz at the finish line, I was just so happy.”
First-year coach Grace Farrell celebrated her gold-medal-winning crew while also feeling immense pride for her younger sister Sarah Farrell, who coxed St Margaret’s College to bronze.
The Boys Under 17 Coxed Eight saw King's College claim gold in a dramatic final. Their coxswain, Ayden Miller described the moment as "surreal":
“I just told the boys to back themselves. We put in a lot of preparation for this race, and I couldn’t have asked for a better crew.”
Hamilton Boys High School secured silver, with Christ's College rounding out the podium in bronze.
Dunstan High School turned the tables on South Island champions Cashmere High School in the Girls Under 17 Coxed Quad, winning in 7:33.30. The young crew, featuring two 14-year-olds, impressed coach Simon Smith:
“They gelled so well in such a short time. Training in a club program where they race alongside New Zealand athletes, adults, and masters has been great for their development.”
DUNSTAN HIGH SCHOOL CREW PLUS COACH SIMON SMITH THRILLED WITH THEIR WIN IN THE GIRLS UNDER 17 QUAD. PHOTO: SHARRON BENNETT.
Christ’s College delivered a standout performance in the Boys Under 15 Octuple, storming through the field after a slow start to claim gold. Novice coxswain Alex Innes recalled:
“We were basically last off the start, but by the 1000m mark, we were catching everyone. I told the boys to keep pushing, and we managed to hold the lead. I knew we could do it.”
It was the first time St Peter’s College of Auckland secured a Maadi medal in the Boys Under 15 Octuple event, a historic silver. St Kentigern College took home the bronze.
Marlborough Girls' College took gold in the Girls Under 15 Coxed Four, overcoming a shaky start to finish over five seconds clear of Rangi Ruru. Coxswain Hayley Sutherland credited their race strategy:
“Our three tens through the middle really helped us push up and take the lead. I knew if we got in front, we could hold it.”
After taking silver in the Boys Under 17 Single Scull, Charlie Manser of Wakatipu High School added gold in the Boys Under 18 Coxed Quad Sculls. Reflecting on his final Maadi Regatta, Manser shared:
“Every race means a lot, knowing it’s our last time together. We’ve put in so many hours, so this is a great way to finish.”
Wakatipu dominated the race from start to finish, clocking 6:25.12 for gold, with St Paul’s Collegiate taking silver and Whanganui High School bronze.
In the Girls Under 18 Pair, Coco Flood and Aine Leeson of St Margaret's College continued their stellar form, winning gold in 7:44. Flood described their strategy:
“Westlake Girls have a strong start, and we saw that in yesterday’s semifinal. But we knew we had a lot to give, so we stayed patient and executed our race plan. It was one of our best races.”
Wakatipu High School’s Charlie Manser and Max Davis continued their medal streak, winning the Boys Under 17 Double Sculls in 6:59.33. In a thrilling contest, New Plymouth Boys High School claimed silver, while St Paul’s Collegiate edged out Hauraki Plains High School for bronze. For New Plymouth, this marked the school's first Maadi medal, a proud moment for their two-member squad.
CHARLIE MANSER OF WAKATIPU HIGH SCHOOL AND HIS MEDAL HAUL FROM THE 2025 MAADI REGATTA. PHOTO: SHARRON BENNETT.
Cashmere High School celebrated their first gold of the regatta in the Girls Under 17 Single Sculls, as Eleri Clare powered home in 8:13.17. St Margaret's College took silver, with Onslow College securing bronze.
ELERI CLARE OF CASHMERE HIGH SCHOOL CLAIMS GOLD FOR HER SCHOOL AND A NEW LAZSLO BOAT IN THE GIRLS UNDER 17 SINGLE SCULLS PHOTO: SHARRON BENNETT PHOTOGRAPHY
History was made in the Girls Under 15 Octuple Sculls, as Whangārei Girls High School claimed their school's first-ever Maadi gold. Coxswain Sophie Paton described the emotional win:
“I just kept telling the girls how hard they’d worked, how much we support each other, and that I knew they could do it. They made me so proud.”
Westlake Boys High School moved one step closer to their Under 18 sweep trifecta, winning the Boys Under 18 Coxed Four and lifting the coveted Springbok Shield in 6:39.73. Hamilton Boys took silver, with Christ's College securing bronze.
WESTLAKE BOYS HIGH SCHOOL TAKE GOLD IN THE BOYS UNDER 18 FOUR TO LIFT THE SPRINGBOK SHIELD. PHOTO: PICTURE SHOW LTD
Rangi Ruru Girls' School claimed gold in the Girls Under 18 Coxed Four, finishing ahead of Waikato Dio and St Margaret’s College. These three crews are expected to battle again for the Levin Jubilee Cup on Saturday in what promises to be an electrifying final.
RANGI RURU GIRLS SCHOOL ARE TRIUMPHANT IN THE GIRLS UNDER 18 FOUR. PHOTO: SHARRON BENNETT.
For full results, visit rowit.nz, and watch all the action live on the Milford-sponsored livestream at www.rowinghub.co.nz/livestream rowinghub.co.nz/livestream Stay updated by following Rowing New Zealand on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Liz Inglis
Liz Inglis is a content creator and photographer based in Christchurch. As well as being a rowing parent, she is also a masters rower for the Avon Rowing Club.
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- An Unforgettable Opening...
An Unforgettable Opening Day of Finals
The first day Maadi Regatta finals dawned with a layer of fog lingering over the area, but Lake Karāpiro remained clear, allowing racing to commence on schedule. This marks the first of two days where medals are fiercely contested, school chants echo with passion and pride, and parents and grandparents watch on with admiration as young athletes give their all on the water.
The Boys Under 17 Single Scull kicked off the finals, with George Benjamin of St Paul’s Collegiate surging ahead early and maintaining his lead to secure gold in a time of 7:50.57. The battle for silver and bronze came down to the wire, with Wakatipu High School's Charlie Manser narrowly edging out Whakatane High School's Ash Shultz by just 0.05 seconds. This marks the second time a St Paul’s Collegiate rower has claimed this title, following Riley Wills' victory in 2021.
GEORGE BENJAMIN OF ST PAUL’S COLLEGIATE TAKES GOLD IN THE BOYS UNDER 17 SINGLE SCULLS. PHOTO: PICTURE SHOW LTD
Waikato Diocesan delivered a dominant performance in the Girls Under 17 Coxed Four, winning in 7:46.71 with clear water ahead of Columba College and St Margaret's College, who claimed silver and bronze, respectively.
In the Boys Under 15 Double Sculls, Onslow College took an early lead, stretching clear by the halfway mark. Despite a determined sprint from St Andrew’s College, Onslow held firm to take gold, while St Andrew’s secured silver and Whakatane High School claimed bronze.
The Boys Under 18 Pair saw a commanding display from Westlake Boys High School's George Langley and Jack Buckley, coached by Andy Hay and Jordan Stanley. They powered to gold in 7:18.41, nearly nine seconds ahead of Sacred Heart College, while St Thomas of Canterbury produced a gritty performance to take bronze. Could this be the beginning of the coveted trifecta Westlake Boys is aiming for?
WESTLAKE BOYS HIGH SCHOOL PAIR CLAIM GOLD IN THE BOYS UNDER 18 PAIR. PHOTO: PICTURE SHOW LTD
North Island schools dominated the medal table until the Boys Under 16 Coxed Quad. At the 500m mark, the field was inseparable, but Otago Boys High School, coxed by Hunter Ruxton, surged ahead through the 1000m and stretched their lead to two boat lengths. In a fierce battle for silver and bronze, Auckland's St Kentigern College edged out Auckland Grammar School. Otago took gold in 6:45.60, marking the first victory of the regatta for a South Island school.
More South Island success followed in the Girls Under 16 Single Sculls, where Isla Moffett of Ashburton College delivered a commanding performance to win in 8:30.10. Coached by Justin Wall and Mary Hefford, Moffett's victory marks the fifth time in a decade that Ashburton College has won this event.
ISLA MOFFETT WINNER OF THE GIRLS UNDER 16 SINGLE SCULLS IS PRESENTED HER TROPHY AND MEDAL BY PREVIOUS WINNER VERONICA WALL. PHOTO: SHARRON BENNETT.
Waikato Diocesan's Novice Coxed Eight provided a thrilling finish, surging past Rangi Ruru Girls' School in the final 500m to snatch gold. Coxswain Amelia Settle shared her excitement:
“It was so exciting! In the last 500m, we weren’t winning, but then we came ahead. Hearing the buzz at the finish line, I was just so happy.”
First-year coach Grace Farrell celebrated her gold-medal-winning crew while also feeling immense pride for her younger sister Sarah Farrell, who coxed St Margaret’s College to bronze.
The Boys Under 17 Coxed Eight saw King's College claim gold in a dramatic final. Their coxswain, Ayden Miller described the moment as "surreal":
“I just told the boys to back themselves. We put in a lot of preparation for this race, and I couldn’t have asked for a better crew.”
Hamilton Boys High School secured silver, with Christ's College rounding out the podium in bronze.
Dunstan High School turned the tables on South Island champions Cashmere High School in the Girls Under 17 Coxed Quad, winning in 7:33.30. The young crew, featuring two 14-year-olds, impressed coach Simon Smith:
“They gelled so well in such a short time. Training in a club program where they race alongside New Zealand athletes, adults, and masters has been great for their development.”
DUNSTAN HIGH SCHOOL CREW PLUS COACH SIMON SMITH THRILLED WITH THEIR WIN IN THE GIRLS UNDER 17 QUAD. PHOTO: SHARRON BENNETT.
Christ’s College delivered a standout performance in the Boys Under 15 Octuple, storming through the field after a slow start to claim gold. Novice coxswain Alex Innes recalled:
“We were basically last off the start, but by the 1000m mark, we were catching everyone. I told the boys to keep pushing, and we managed to hold the lead. I knew we could do it.”
It was the first time St Peter’s College of Auckland secured a Maadi medal in the Boys Under 15 Octuple event, a historic silver. St Kentigern College took home the bronze.
Marlborough Girls' College took gold in the Girls Under 15 Coxed Four, overcoming a shaky start to finish over five seconds clear of Rangi Ruru. Coxswain Hayley Sutherland credited their race strategy:
“Our three tens through the middle really helped us push up and take the lead. I knew if we got in front, we could hold it.”
After taking silver in the Boys Under 17 Single Scull, Charlie Manser of Wakatipu High School added gold in the Boys Under 18 Coxed Quad Sculls. Reflecting on his final Maadi Regatta, Manser shared:
“Every race means a lot, knowing it’s our last time together. We’ve put in so many hours, so this is a great way to finish.”
Wakatipu dominated the race from start to finish, clocking 6:25.12 for gold, with St Paul’s Collegiate taking silver and Whanganui High School bronze.
In the Girls Under 18 Pair, Coco Flood and Aine Leeson of St Margaret's College continued their stellar form, winning gold in 7:44. Flood described their strategy:
“Westlake Girls have a strong start, and we saw that in yesterday’s semifinal. But we knew we had a lot to give, so we stayed patient and executed our race plan. It was one of our best races.”
Wakatipu High School’s Charlie Manser and Max Davis continued their medal streak, winning the Boys Under 17 Double Sculls in 6:59.33. In a thrilling contest, New Plymouth Boys High School claimed silver, while St Paul’s Collegiate edged out Hauraki Plains High School for bronze. For New Plymouth, this marked the school's first Maadi medal, a proud moment for their two-member squad.
CHARLIE MANSER OF WAKATIPU HIGH SCHOOL AND HIS MEDAL HAUL FROM THE 2025 MAADI REGATTA. PHOTO: SHARRON BENNETT.
Cashmere High School celebrated their first gold of the regatta in the Girls Under 17 Single Sculls, as Eleri Clare powered home in 8:13.17. St Margaret's College took silver, with Onslow College securing bronze.
ELERI CLARE OF CASHMERE HIGH SCHOOL CLAIMS GOLD FOR HER SCHOOL AND A NEW LAZSLO BOAT IN THE GIRLS UNDER 17 SINGLE SCULLS PHOTO: SHARRON BENNETT PHOTOGRAPHY
History was made in the Girls Under 15 Octuple Sculls, as Whangārei Girls High School claimed their school's first-ever Maadi gold. Coxswain Sophie Paton described the emotional win:
“I just kept telling the girls how hard they’d worked, how much we support each other, and that I knew they could do it. They made me so proud.”
Westlake Boys High School moved one step closer to their Under 18 sweep trifecta, winning the Boys Under 18 Coxed Four and lifting the coveted Springbok Shield in 6:39.73. Hamilton Boys took silver, with Christ's College securing bronze.
WESTLAKE BOYS HIGH SCHOOL TAKE GOLD IN THE BOYS UNDER 18 FOUR TO LIFT THE SPRINGBOK SHIELD. PHOTO: PICTURE SHOW LTD
Rangi Ruru Girls' School claimed gold in the Girls Under 18 Coxed Four, finishing ahead of Waikato Dio and St Margaret’s College. These three crews are expected to battle again for the Levin Jubilee Cup on Saturday in what promises to be an electrifying final.
RANGI RURU GIRLS SCHOOL ARE TRIUMPHANT IN THE GIRLS UNDER 18 FOUR. PHOTO: SHARRON BENNETT.
For full results, visit rowit.nz, and watch all the action live on the Milford-sponsored livestream at www.rowinghub.co.nz/livestream rowinghub.co.nz/livestream Stay updated by following Rowing New Zealand on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.
Liz Inglis
Liz Inglis is a content creator and photographer based in Christchurch. As well as being a rowing parent, she is also a masters rower for the Avon Rowing Club.
