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Another Day of Heats in the Bag: Progression Gets Tough as Finals Spots Are Claimed
Another stunning day greeted rowers and supporters on day two of heats at this year’s Maadi Regatta, delivering another intense day of racing as athletes battled for coveted qualification spots.
The day opened with the Boys Under 18 Single Sculls, a fiercely competitive event featuring six heats. For those who appreciate the finesse of top schoolboy scullers, this was the race to watch. Hamilton Boys’ High School sculler Corbin Campbell, coached by John White, delivered a commanding performance, winning his heat and securing the fastest qualifying time of 7:26.94—eight seconds ahead of North Island Champion Nathan Strachan from Macleans College. Corbin, a key member of last year’s Maadi Cup-winning Hamilton Boys’ Coxed Eight, has showcased his versatility across both sweep and sculling boats. With quarterfinals ahead, we await the next round of intense competition.
HAMILTON BOYS HIGH SCHOOL ROWER CORBIN CAMPBELL IN THE BOYS UNDER 18 SINGLE SCULLS, WINNING HIS HEAT IN A TIME OF 7:26.94. PHOTO: SHArron bennett photography
Dunstan High School, renowned for producing some of the country’s finest scullers, saw Bella Breen and Charlotte Crosbie comfortably claim their heat in the Girls Under 15 Double Sculls by over 12 seconds. Joining them in the A final are Burnside High School, Craighead, and Glendowie College. Both Bella and Charlotte will also compete in the Dunstan Girls Under 17 Coxed Quad, which dominated its heat yesterday with a 16-second margin. Later in the day, Bella paired up with Ruby Smith in the Girls Under 17 Double Sculls, winning their heat by an astounding 21 seconds—the only crew to break the 8-minute mark with a time of 7:52.59.
DUNSTAN HIGH SCHOOL ROWERS, BELLA BREEN AND RUBY SMITH IN THE GIRLS UNDER 17 DOUBLE SCULLS. PHOTO: PICTURE SHOW LTD
The Boys Under 15 Coxed Quad Sculls saw North Island schools dominate, with Whanganui Collegiate, St. Peter’s College, Hamilton Boys’, and North Island Champions Onslow College securing direct A final spots. Whanganui Collegiate emerged as the fastest qualifier with a time of 7:01.06.
In the Girls Under 17 Coxed Eight, Christchurch schools Rangi Ruru, coached by Adam Ling, and St. Andrew’s College, coached by Marion Hardwick and Kendal Everest, won their heats to progress directly to the A Final. Many of these rowers competed in the Girls Under 16 Coxed Eight event at last year’s Maadi Regatta, where St. Andrew’s secured gold by a mere 0.015 seconds. Rangi Ruru enters as the reigning South Island Champion, but with North Island Champions Epsom Girls’ Grammar and Columba College also in the mix, this event is shaping up to be a thriller.
PICTURE: ST. ANDREW’S COLLEGE GIRLS U17 COXED EIGHT SECURING THEIR SPOT IN FRIDAY’S A FINAL. PHOTO: ELIZABETH INGLIS PHOTOGRAPHY
Progressing straight to the A Final of the Boys Under 17 Coxed Four were St. Andrew’s College (South Island Champions), Christchurch Boys’ High School, King’s College, and Hamilton Boys’. North Island Champions Westlake Boys’ placed second in their heat and will race in Wednesday’s repechage for a final spot.
St. Bede’s College’s Boys Under 16 Coxed Eight, coached by Aaron Maxwell, secured a direct A Final qualification by winning their heat in 6:13.32. Christ’s College took the other direct qualification spot, while North Island Champions King’s College will look to qualify through Wednesday’s repechage.
ST. BEDE’S BOYS UNDER 16 EIGHT STRONG OFF THE START IN TODAY’S HEAT. PHOTO: SHARRON BENNETT
The Girls Under 18 Coxed Quad Sculls showcased impeccable sculling, with Craighead emerging as the fastest semi-final qualifier with a time of 7:39.57. Cashmere edged out Twizel to win their heat, posting near-identical times to other semifinal qualifiers Marian College and St. Peter’s School.
Whakatāne rowers and North Island Champions Ash Schutz and Travis Talpos, coached by Graham Watt, combined forces in the Boys Under 18 Double, securing a semifinal berth with a time of 7:11.37. Ash also impressed in the Boys Under 17 Single Sculls, winning both his heat and today’s quarterfinal.
WHAKATĀNE HIGH SCHOOL ROWERS ASH SCHUTZ AND TRAVIS TALPOS QUALIFYING TO THE SEMI-FINAL OF THE BOYS UNDER 18 DOUBLE SCULLS. PHOTO: Picture show ltd
Rangi Ruru Girls’ School continues to set the standard in sweep rowing, as their Girls Under 15 Coxed Eight won their heat in 7:16.07—nearly seven seconds ahead of North Island silver medalists Waikato Dio. However, Auckland Dio also won their heat.
The Boys Under 15 Coxed Four heats saw clear frontrunners in Whanganui Collegiate, Christchurch Boys’ High School, and St. Andrew’s College, each winning their respective races.
Highly anticipated heats in the Girls and Boys Under 18 Coxed Eights saw North and South Island Champions advance directly to the A Finals. In the girls’ event, Rangi Ruru’s #1 crew set the fastest qualifying time at 7:00.69, while Waikato Dio comfortably won their heat by over 12 seconds with a time of 7:04.06. St. Margaret’s and Westlake Girls’ also secured A Final spots. The Rangi Ruru #2 crew narrowly missed direct qualification and will race in Wednesday’s repechage.
RANGI RURU QUALIFIED FOR THE A FINAL OF THE GIRLS UNDER 18 COXED EIGHT IN A TIME OF 7:00.69. PHOTO: SHARRON BENNETT
In the Boys Under 18 Coxed Eight, St. Bede’s, coached by Dale Maher, won their heat and advanced to the A Final alongside Sacred Heart. Westlake Boys’ posted the fastest heat time of 6:02.10, with King’s College also securing an A Final spot. Christ’s College and current Maadi Cup holders Hamilton Boys’ also qualified directly. Wednesday’s repechage will determine if Christ’s College can qualify a second crew and if North Island bronze medalists St. Peter’s College can secure a top-eight spot to race for the Maadi Cup.
WESTLAKE BOYS POSTING THE FASTEST HEAT QUALIFYING TIME OF 6:02.10. PHOTO: PICTURE SHOW LTD
With the regatta running smoothly under spectacular conditions, much credit goes to the dedicated volunteers and officials at Lake Karāpiro. Each day requires at least 70 volunteers, including 12 who traveled from the South Island and two Australian race officials participating in an exchange program. Chief Umpire Jack Quirk emphasised the value of these exchanges, as they foster learning opportunities and drive continuous improvements in regatta management, as well as forging lifelong connections.
HIGHLY VALUED VOLUNTEERS RUNNING THE 2025 MAADI REGATTA. PHOTO: PICTURE SHOW LTD
With another action-packed day complete, including seven repechage events at the end of the days racing, we look forward to Wednesday’s repechage races as the competition intensifies.
For full results from today's racing, visit the results tab on rowit.nz, and catch all the action live on the Milford-sponsored livestream - www.rowinghub.co.nz/livestream
Stay updated with all the excitement from the regatta 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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- School Rowing
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- Another Day of...
Another Day of Heats in the Bag: Progression Gets Tough as Finals Spots Are Claimed
Another stunning day greeted rowers and supporters on day two of heats at this year’s Maadi Regatta, delivering another intense day of racing as athletes battled for coveted qualification spots.
The day opened with the Boys Under 18 Single Sculls, a fiercely competitive event featuring six heats. For those who appreciate the finesse of top schoolboy scullers, this was the race to watch. Hamilton Boys’ High School sculler Corbin Campbell, coached by John White, delivered a commanding performance, winning his heat and securing the fastest qualifying time of 7:26.94—eight seconds ahead of North Island Champion Nathan Strachan from Macleans College. Corbin, a key member of last year’s Maadi Cup-winning Hamilton Boys’ Coxed Eight, has showcased his versatility across both sweep and sculling boats. With quarterfinals ahead, we await the next round of intense competition.
HAMILTON BOYS HIGH SCHOOL ROWER CORBIN CAMPBELL IN THE BOYS UNDER 18 SINGLE SCULLS, WINNING HIS HEAT IN A TIME OF 7:26.94. PHOTO: SHArron bennett photography
Dunstan High School, renowned for producing some of the country’s finest scullers, saw Bella Breen and Charlotte Crosbie comfortably claim their heat in the Girls Under 15 Double Sculls by over 12 seconds. Joining them in the A final are Burnside High School, Craighead, and Glendowie College. Both Bella and Charlotte will also compete in the Dunstan Girls Under 17 Coxed Quad, which dominated its heat yesterday with a 16-second margin. Later in the day, Bella paired up with Ruby Smith in the Girls Under 17 Double Sculls, winning their heat by an astounding 21 seconds—the only crew to break the 8-minute mark with a time of 7:52.59.
DUNSTAN HIGH SCHOOL ROWERS, BELLA BREEN AND RUBY SMITH IN THE GIRLS UNDER 17 DOUBLE SCULLS. PHOTO: PICTURE SHOW LTD
The Boys Under 15 Coxed Quad Sculls saw North Island schools dominate, with Whanganui Collegiate, St. Peter’s College, Hamilton Boys’, and North Island Champions Onslow College securing direct A final spots. Whanganui Collegiate emerged as the fastest qualifier with a time of 7:01.06.
In the Girls Under 17 Coxed Eight, Christchurch schools Rangi Ruru, coached by Adam Ling, and St. Andrew’s College, coached by Marion Hardwick and Kendal Everest, won their heats to progress directly to the A Final. Many of these rowers competed in the Girls Under 16 Coxed Eight event at last year’s Maadi Regatta, where St. Andrew’s secured gold by a mere 0.015 seconds. Rangi Ruru enters as the reigning South Island Champion, but with North Island Champions Epsom Girls’ Grammar and Columba College also in the mix, this event is shaping up to be a thriller.
PICTURE: ST. ANDREW’S COLLEGE GIRLS U17 COXED EIGHT SECURING THEIR SPOT IN FRIDAY’S A FINAL. PHOTO: ELIZABETH INGLIS PHOTOGRAPHY
Progressing straight to the A Final of the Boys Under 17 Coxed Four were St. Andrew’s College (South Island Champions), Christchurch Boys’ High School, King’s College, and Hamilton Boys’. North Island Champions Westlake Boys’ placed second in their heat and will race in Wednesday’s repechage for a final spot.
St. Bede’s College’s Boys Under 16 Coxed Eight, coached by Aaron Maxwell, secured a direct A Final qualification by winning their heat in 6:13.32. Christ’s College took the other direct qualification spot, while North Island Champions King’s College will look to qualify through Wednesday’s repechage.
ST. BEDE’S BOYS UNDER 16 EIGHT STRONG OFF THE START IN TODAY’S HEAT. PHOTO: SHARRON BENNETT
The Girls Under 18 Coxed Quad Sculls showcased impeccable sculling, with Craighead emerging as the fastest semi-final qualifier with a time of 7:39.57. Cashmere edged out Twizel to win their heat, posting near-identical times to other semifinal qualifiers Marian College and St. Peter’s School.
Whakatāne rowers and North Island Champions Ash Schutz and Travis Talpos, coached by Graham Watt, combined forces in the Boys Under 18 Double, securing a semifinal berth with a time of 7:11.37. Ash also impressed in the Boys Under 17 Single Sculls, winning both his heat and today’s quarterfinal.
WHAKATĀNE HIGH SCHOOL ROWERS ASH SCHUTZ AND TRAVIS TALPOS QUALIFYING TO THE SEMI-FINAL OF THE BOYS UNDER 18 DOUBLE SCULLS. PHOTO: Picture show ltd
Rangi Ruru Girls’ School continues to set the standard in sweep rowing, as their Girls Under 15 Coxed Eight won their heat in 7:16.07—nearly seven seconds ahead of North Island silver medalists Waikato Dio. However, Auckland Dio also won their heat.
The Boys Under 15 Coxed Four heats saw clear frontrunners in Whanganui Collegiate, Christchurch Boys’ High School, and St. Andrew’s College, each winning their respective races.
Highly anticipated heats in the Girls and Boys Under 18 Coxed Eights saw North and South Island Champions advance directly to the A Finals. In the girls’ event, Rangi Ruru’s #1 crew set the fastest qualifying time at 7:00.69, while Waikato Dio comfortably won their heat by over 12 seconds with a time of 7:04.06. St. Margaret’s and Westlake Girls’ also secured A Final spots. The Rangi Ruru #2 crew narrowly missed direct qualification and will race in Wednesday’s repechage.
RANGI RURU QUALIFIED FOR THE A FINAL OF THE GIRLS UNDER 18 COXED EIGHT IN A TIME OF 7:00.69. PHOTO: SHARRON BENNETT
In the Boys Under 18 Coxed Eight, St. Bede’s, coached by Dale Maher, won their heat and advanced to the A Final alongside Sacred Heart. Westlake Boys’ posted the fastest heat time of 6:02.10, with King’s College also securing an A Final spot. Christ’s College and current Maadi Cup holders Hamilton Boys’ also qualified directly. Wednesday’s repechage will determine if Christ’s College can qualify a second crew and if North Island bronze medalists St. Peter’s College can secure a top-eight spot to race for the Maadi Cup.
WESTLAKE BOYS POSTING THE FASTEST HEAT QUALIFYING TIME OF 6:02.10. PHOTO: PICTURE SHOW LTD
With the regatta running smoothly under spectacular conditions, much credit goes to the dedicated volunteers and officials at Lake Karāpiro. Each day requires at least 70 volunteers, including 12 who traveled from the South Island and two Australian race officials participating in an exchange program. Chief Umpire Jack Quirk emphasised the value of these exchanges, as they foster learning opportunities and drive continuous improvements in regatta management, as well as forging lifelong connections.
HIGHLY VALUED VOLUNTEERS RUNNING THE 2025 MAADI REGATTA. PHOTO: PICTURE SHOW LTD
With another action-packed day complete, including seven repechage events at the end of the days racing, we look forward to Wednesday’s repechage races as the competition intensifies.
For full results from today's racing, visit the results tab on rowit.nz, and catch all the action live on the Milford-sponsored livestream - www.rowinghub.co.nz/livestream
Stay updated with all the excitement from the regatta 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.
