CRC Club Day: A Celebration of Community and Rowing
As Canterbury Rowing Club (CRC) gears up for the New Zealand National Rowing Championships this month, the club is riding the momentum of a fantastic start to the season.
Their first-ever Club Regatta day, held in October, was the perfect way to bring the community together and set a positive tone for the months ahead.
There’s a certain vibe about the oldest rowing club in the country. CRC, founded in 1861, is steeped in history and practically bursting at the seams with boats. With multiple schools training out of CRC—alongside its club and masters programs—it’s a busy boat shed. But beyond the constant training and competition, there’s a strong desire to foster a true sense of community within the club.
CRC’s sense of community and fun is clear to see. Photo: Raw Sports Photography
Becky Tuke, a long-time club member and outgoing club captain, has seen firsthand how CRC has evolved over the years. “We had been talking and thinking a lot about how we can be more of a club rather than just a shed,” she explains. “It’s really hard when everyone’s training all the time, and we don’t have a social space as such.”
One of the ways CRC has worked to build this sense of community is through their first-ever Club Regatta Day, held in October. It was more than just a race day—it was a celebration of everyone who makes CRC special. The event brought together school, club, and masters rowers, creating opportunities for them to get to know each other outside of their usual training bubbles. It also gave novice rowers a taste of a racing environment before they headed into bigger competitions at Twizel, while also honoring the club’s elite athletes.
A big crowd and a beautiful day at Kerr’s Reach for the CRC Club Regatta day. Photo: Raw Sports Photography
The day was particularly memorable, with members gathering not only to race but also to celebrate CRC’s Olympians -Phoebe Spoors, Lucy Spoors, Davina Waddy and Shannon Cox.
"The club is in good heart,” Becky says, reflecting on the turnout. “We had all the schools, club and masters rowers, life members, and committee members—people from all different parts of the CRC community.”
It’s clear however, that the sense of camaraderie at CRC extends beyond this club regatta day. Once a month, CRC hosts Friday night 5km races, followed by a barbecue, bringing together rowers from all parts of the club—school, club, and masters crews alike. Becky, who has been with CRC since she started rowing at Cashmere High School in 2012, says it’s one of the things she loves most about the club. “It’s just a big bunch of friends, basically. It takes a heap of time, but we’re all really in it together.”
Over the years, CRC has built a reputation not just as the country’s oldest club, but as one that produces top-tier athletes. Olympians Eve MacFarlane and the Evers-Swindell twins also have roots in CRC. The club is also home to a thriving school rowing scene, with programs from Avonside Girls’ High, Cashmere High, Christchurch Girls’ High, and Christchurch Boys’ High.
After five years Becky has stepped down as Club Captain. She reflects on what makes CRC special, “It’s the lifestyle,” she says. “This club is awesome—it’s more than just rowing; it’s a community.”
Celebrating CRC Olympians and a chance to see their medals up close. Photo: Raw Sports Photography
The regatta day featured three divisions: 50% novices crews, masters, intermediate and U16 rowers, and one for U17, U18, club, and senior rowers. A key highlight was the final event of the day, which saw Olympians Lucy Spoors and Shannon Cox each captain an octuple scull, while Phoebe Spoors and Davina Waddy led eights crews. School and club coaches collaborated to create mixed crews featuring top rowers from across all four affiliated schools.
“I was lucky enough to be in Lucy’s boat,” Becky recalls. “It was this crazy octuple with rowers from Christchurch Boys, Cashmere, Avonside Girls, and Christchurch Girls—it was hilarious. A 500-metre sprint, and it was a photo finish. Shannon’s octuple won.”
Lucy Spoors captained an octuple, narrowly missing out on victory! Photo: Raw Sports Photography
Olympian Lucy Spoors reflected on the event, saying, “Canterbury Rowing Club have always been so supportive of my elite journey through rowing. It was important to me to get back down to The Reach for club day and share with them my medal and how they’ve been a part of all of it. They’re a fun and enthusiastic group, and I’m always excited to watch their season from Cambridge.”
The event concluded with a prize-giving and a Q&A session with the elite rowers, which left a lasting impression on the younger athletes. “There was a real buzz in the shed for days afterward,” Becky says. “It was a great time of the year to do it, right at the start of the season.”
Photo: Raw Sports Photography
Looking Ahead
With around 240 rowers—including all the school crews—CRC continues to thrive. The club has just got back from South Island Club Champs where they picked up 7 golds, 8 silvers and 3 bronze medals. Becky, who is part of the club squad, notes that it is particularly special for the team to have elite rower Shannon Cox training alongside them.
Reflecting on the club day, Becky says, “We came away thinking that we definitely achieved what we wanted to achieve.” The future looks bright for CRC, as it continues to foster a strong community spirit while celebrating the achievements of its athletes at every level.
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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CRC Club Day: A Celebration of Community and Rowing
As Canterbury Rowing Club (CRC) gears up for the New Zealand National Rowing Championships this month, the club is riding the momentum of a fantastic start to the season.
Their first-ever Club Regatta day, held in October, was the perfect way to bring the community together and set a positive tone for the months ahead.
There’s a certain vibe about the oldest rowing club in the country. CRC, founded in 1861, is steeped in history and practically bursting at the seams with boats. With multiple schools training out of CRC—alongside its club and masters programs—it’s a busy boat shed. But beyond the constant training and competition, there’s a strong desire to foster a true sense of community within the club.
CRC’s sense of community and fun is clear to see. Photo: Raw Sports Photography
Becky Tuke, a long-time club member and outgoing club captain, has seen firsthand how CRC has evolved over the years. “We had been talking and thinking a lot about how we can be more of a club rather than just a shed,” she explains. “It’s really hard when everyone’s training all the time, and we don’t have a social space as such.”
One of the ways CRC has worked to build this sense of community is through their first-ever Club Regatta Day, held in October. It was more than just a race day—it was a celebration of everyone who makes CRC special. The event brought together school, club, and masters rowers, creating opportunities for them to get to know each other outside of their usual training bubbles. It also gave novice rowers a taste of a racing environment before they headed into bigger competitions at Twizel, while also honoring the club’s elite athletes.
A big crowd and a beautiful day at Kerr’s Reach for the CRC Club Regatta day. Photo: Raw Sports Photography
The day was particularly memorable, with members gathering not only to race but also to celebrate CRC’s Olympians -Phoebe Spoors, Lucy Spoors, Davina Waddy and Shannon Cox.
"The club is in good heart,” Becky says, reflecting on the turnout. “We had all the schools, club and masters rowers, life members, and committee members—people from all different parts of the CRC community.”
It’s clear however, that the sense of camaraderie at CRC extends beyond this club regatta day. Once a month, CRC hosts Friday night 5km races, followed by a barbecue, bringing together rowers from all parts of the club—school, club, and masters crews alike. Becky, who has been with CRC since she started rowing at Cashmere High School in 2012, says it’s one of the things she loves most about the club. “It’s just a big bunch of friends, basically. It takes a heap of time, but we’re all really in it together.”
Over the years, CRC has built a reputation not just as the country’s oldest club, but as one that produces top-tier athletes. Olympians Eve MacFarlane and the Evers-Swindell twins also have roots in CRC. The club is also home to a thriving school rowing scene, with programs from Avonside Girls’ High, Cashmere High, Christchurch Girls’ High, and Christchurch Boys’ High.
After five years Becky has stepped down as Club Captain. She reflects on what makes CRC special, “It’s the lifestyle,” she says. “This club is awesome—it’s more than just rowing; it’s a community.”
Celebrating CRC Olympians and a chance to see their medals up close. Photo: Raw Sports Photography
The regatta day featured three divisions: 50% novices crews, masters, intermediate and U16 rowers, and one for U17, U18, club, and senior rowers. A key highlight was the final event of the day, which saw Olympians Lucy Spoors and Shannon Cox each captain an octuple scull, while Phoebe Spoors and Davina Waddy led eights crews. School and club coaches collaborated to create mixed crews featuring top rowers from across all four affiliated schools.
“I was lucky enough to be in Lucy’s boat,” Becky recalls. “It was this crazy octuple with rowers from Christchurch Boys, Cashmere, Avonside Girls, and Christchurch Girls—it was hilarious. A 500-metre sprint, and it was a photo finish. Shannon’s octuple won.”
Lucy Spoors captained an octuple, narrowly missing out on victory! Photo: Raw Sports Photography
Olympian Lucy Spoors reflected on the event, saying, “Canterbury Rowing Club have always been so supportive of my elite journey through rowing. It was important to me to get back down to The Reach for club day and share with them my medal and how they’ve been a part of all of it. They’re a fun and enthusiastic group, and I’m always excited to watch their season from Cambridge.”
The event concluded with a prize-giving and a Q&A session with the elite rowers, which left a lasting impression on the younger athletes. “There was a real buzz in the shed for days afterward,” Becky says. “It was a great time of the year to do it, right at the start of the season.”
Photo: Raw Sports Photography
Looking Ahead
With around 240 rowers—including all the school crews—CRC continues to thrive. The club has just got back from South Island Club Champs where they picked up 7 golds, 8 silvers and 3 bronze medals. Becky, who is part of the club squad, notes that it is particularly special for the team to have elite rower Shannon Cox training alongside them.
Reflecting on the club day, Becky says, “We came away thinking that we definitely achieved what we wanted to achieve.” The future looks bright for CRC, as it continues to foster a strong community spirit while celebrating the achievements of its athletes at every level.
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.
