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Momentum Builds on Day Two at Lake Ruataniwha
Another day of pristine conditions delivers fast times, rising pressure, and moments that capture the heart of Maadi.
Day two of the 2026 Maadi Regatta delivered more of the calm, glassy conditions that made for such exceptional racing on opening day - and crews took full advantage.
The first race on the water saw Mount Albert Grammar’s Ted Rattray, coached by Theo Brown, continue his dominance in the single sculls. Posting a time of 7:35.48, he secured his place in the quarterfinals of the Boys Under 18 Single Sculls with a clear margin over the field.
Mount Albert Grammars Ted Rattray in the Boys Under 18 Single Sculls. Photo: Sharron Bennett Photography
In the Girls Under 15 Double Sculls, the stakes were high, with crews chasing automatic qualification for Saturday’s A Final. Wakatipu High School, Hamilton Girls’ High School, Timaru Girls’ High School, and Craighead Diocesan School rose to the challenge, each booking their place and avoiding the repechage.
The second heat of the Boys Under 15 Coxed Quadruple Sculls produced one of the tighter races of the morning. North Island champions St Paul’s Collegiate School executed a composed race to secure their A Final spot, with Whanganui Collegiate School less than a second behind in a fast, competitive field.
The first eights race of the day - the Girls Under 17 Coxed Eight - set the tone for what is shaping as a thrilling showdown. Rangi Ruru’s #1 crew, coached by James Armitage and Craig Harper, came very close to breaking the seven-minute mark, winning their heat in 7:00.93. Christchurch neighbours St Margaret’s College were equally impressive in the second heat, winning convincingly ahead of Rangi Ruru’s second crew. This is shaping up to be an exciting final on Saturday as Auckland Diocesan School for Girls will be looking to disrupt what could shape up to be an all Christchurch schools podium.
Rangi Ruru competing in the Girls Under 17 Coxed Eight Photo: Rowing Picture Show
In the Boys Under 17 Coxed Four, St Bede’s College delivered a standout performance. Coached by Dale Maher, the crew posted the fastest qualifying time of 6:45.05 to move directly into the A Final. Coxswain Matthew Casey, also coxing the schools Under 17 Eight and Under 18 Eight is already familiar with success at Maadi. He’ll be looking to add further medals to his impressive tally later in the week.
After an impressive race in their Boys Novice Double sculls yesterday, with Alaric Bulling and Jacob Marsden winning their heat, newcomers to Maadi Regatta Papamoa College were back on the water today in both the Novice Quadruple Sculls and the Novice Coxed Four. Under the guidance of coach Morey Bulling, their progress through the regatta has been exciting to watch.
New to Maadi, Papamoa College have been exciting to watch. Photo: Rowing Picture Show
In the Boys Under 16 Coxed Eight, King’s College and Hamilton Boys’ High School produced commanding performances to win their respective heats and secure direct qualification, with the remaining finalists to be decided through Wednesday’s repechages.
Hamilton Boys High School posting the fastest time in today’s Boys Under 16 Coxed Eight heat. Photo: Rowing Picture Show
Beyond the results, Maadi continues to highlight the powerful personal journeys behind the racing - and few are as moving as that of Marlborough Boys’ College’s Hunter Marfell.
In December 2024, Marfell was involved in a serious mountain biking accident that left him in a coma for more than 100 hours. Airlifted from Nelson to Christchurch Hospital, he was initially expected to spend months in recovery. Instead, his progress defied expectations. After just two weeks, he was transferred to Wellington for further rehabilitation, where he again surpassed timelines, returning home far sooner than anticipated.
To now be back competing at Maadi in his final year of school rowing is, in itself, an extraordinary achievement, but it’s his positive attitude that really stands out:
“It’s great that I’m able to hit it hard this season, have fun, and hopefully race well,” Marfell said. “If we come away with a medal or two, that’s awesome - but just being here is the main goal.”
He credits his rowing base as a key part of his recovery. “I was in a really good place physically before the accident, and I think that helped massively. Rowing gave me something to work towards - that motivation to keep pushing.”
Marlborough Boys College athletes, Adain Bennett and Hunter Marfell compete in the Boys Under 18 Double Sculls Photo: Sharron Bennett Photography
His coach, Clayton Lindstrom, reflected on the moment he knew Hunter was going to be okay. “Getting that phone call after he came out of the coma, hearing his voice, that was pretty special. To now see him here, racing at his last Maadi, is something we’re all incredibly proud of.”
Marfell is racing alongside Aidan Bennett in the Boys Under 18 Double Sculls, with the pair arriving as South Island title holders. They will also contest the Under 18 Coxed Quadruple Sculls, making the most of every opportunity in what is already a remarkable final campaign.
The final races of the heats programme saw the Under 18 Coxed Eights take centre stage in near-perfect conditions - a highlight of the regatta as North and South Island schools go head-to-head.
In the girls’ event, Waikato Diocesan School, coached by Matt Adam, edged out South Island champions Rangi Ruru to secure direct progression, while St Margaret’s College claimed the second heat in convincing fashion to also book their place in Saturday’s A Final.
Waikato Diocesan stamping their mark on the Girls Under 18 coxed Eight field in today’s heat. Photo: Rowing Picture Show
The boys’ event saw King’s College and Auckland Grammar post near-identical times, both progressing directly to the final in what promises to be an outstanding contest.
Racing concluded with a series of quarterfinals and repechages, rounding out another smooth day on the water. With a change in weather on the horizon, adjustments to the schedule are being made to ensure the regatta stays on track, setting up an important and exciting day ahead.
Full results are available at www.rowit.nz
Livestream coverage available at https://rowingnz.kiwi/livestream/ OR https://www.youtube.com/@rowingnz/streams
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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- Momentum Builds on...
Momentum Builds on Day Two at Lake Ruataniwha
Another day of pristine conditions delivers fast times, rising pressure, and moments that capture the heart of Maadi.
Day two of the 2026 Maadi Regatta delivered more of the calm, glassy conditions that made for such exceptional racing on opening day - and crews took full advantage.
The first race on the water saw Mount Albert Grammar’s Ted Rattray, coached by Theo Brown, continue his dominance in the single sculls. Posting a time of 7:35.48, he secured his place in the quarterfinals of the Boys Under 18 Single Sculls with a clear margin over the field.
Mount Albert Grammars Ted Rattray in the Boys Under 18 Single Sculls. Photo: Sharron Bennett Photography
In the Girls Under 15 Double Sculls, the stakes were high, with crews chasing automatic qualification for Saturday’s A Final. Wakatipu High School, Hamilton Girls’ High School, Timaru Girls’ High School, and Craighead Diocesan School rose to the challenge, each booking their place and avoiding the repechage.
The second heat of the Boys Under 15 Coxed Quadruple Sculls produced one of the tighter races of the morning. North Island champions St Paul’s Collegiate School executed a composed race to secure their A Final spot, with Whanganui Collegiate School less than a second behind in a fast, competitive field.
The first eights race of the day - the Girls Under 17 Coxed Eight - set the tone for what is shaping as a thrilling showdown. Rangi Ruru’s #1 crew, coached by James Armitage and Craig Harper, came very close to breaking the seven-minute mark, winning their heat in 7:00.93. Christchurch neighbours St Margaret’s College were equally impressive in the second heat, winning convincingly ahead of Rangi Ruru’s second crew. This is shaping up to be an exciting final on Saturday as Auckland Diocesan School for Girls will be looking to disrupt what could shape up to be an all Christchurch schools podium.
Rangi Ruru competing in the Girls Under 17 Coxed Eight Photo: Rowing Picture Show
In the Boys Under 17 Coxed Four, St Bede’s College delivered a standout performance. Coached by Dale Maher, the crew posted the fastest qualifying time of 6:45.05 to move directly into the A Final. Coxswain Matthew Casey, also coxing the schools Under 17 Eight and Under 18 Eight is already familiar with success at Maadi. He’ll be looking to add further medals to his impressive tally later in the week.
After an impressive race in their Boys Novice Double sculls yesterday, with Alaric Bulling and Jacob Marsden winning their heat, newcomers to Maadi Regatta Papamoa College were back on the water today in both the Novice Quadruple Sculls and the Novice Coxed Four. Under the guidance of coach Morey Bulling, their progress through the regatta has been exciting to watch.
New to Maadi, Papamoa College have been exciting to watch. Photo: Rowing Picture Show
In the Boys Under 16 Coxed Eight, King’s College and Hamilton Boys’ High School produced commanding performances to win their respective heats and secure direct qualification, with the remaining finalists to be decided through Wednesday’s repechages.
Hamilton Boys High School posting the fastest time in today’s Boys Under 16 Coxed Eight heat. Photo: Rowing Picture Show
Beyond the results, Maadi continues to highlight the powerful personal journeys behind the racing - and few are as moving as that of Marlborough Boys’ College’s Hunter Marfell.
In December 2024, Marfell was involved in a serious mountain biking accident that left him in a coma for more than 100 hours. Airlifted from Nelson to Christchurch Hospital, he was initially expected to spend months in recovery. Instead, his progress defied expectations. After just two weeks, he was transferred to Wellington for further rehabilitation, where he again surpassed timelines, returning home far sooner than anticipated.
To now be back competing at Maadi in his final year of school rowing is, in itself, an extraordinary achievement, but it’s his positive attitude that really stands out:
“It’s great that I’m able to hit it hard this season, have fun, and hopefully race well,” Marfell said. “If we come away with a medal or two, that’s awesome - but just being here is the main goal.”
He credits his rowing base as a key part of his recovery. “I was in a really good place physically before the accident, and I think that helped massively. Rowing gave me something to work towards - that motivation to keep pushing.”
Marlborough Boys College athletes, Adain Bennett and Hunter Marfell compete in the Boys Under 18 Double Sculls Photo: Sharron Bennett Photography
His coach, Clayton Lindstrom, reflected on the moment he knew Hunter was going to be okay. “Getting that phone call after he came out of the coma, hearing his voice, that was pretty special. To now see him here, racing at his last Maadi, is something we’re all incredibly proud of.”
Marfell is racing alongside Aidan Bennett in the Boys Under 18 Double Sculls, with the pair arriving as South Island title holders. They will also contest the Under 18 Coxed Quadruple Sculls, making the most of every opportunity in what is already a remarkable final campaign.
The final races of the heats programme saw the Under 18 Coxed Eights take centre stage in near-perfect conditions - a highlight of the regatta as North and South Island schools go head-to-head.
In the girls’ event, Waikato Diocesan School, coached by Matt Adam, edged out South Island champions Rangi Ruru to secure direct progression, while St Margaret’s College claimed the second heat in convincing fashion to also book their place in Saturday’s A Final.
Waikato Diocesan stamping their mark on the Girls Under 18 coxed Eight field in today’s heat. Photo: Rowing Picture Show
The boys’ event saw King’s College and Auckland Grammar post near-identical times, both progressing directly to the final in what promises to be an outstanding contest.
Racing concluded with a series of quarterfinals and repechages, rounding out another smooth day on the water. With a change in weather on the horizon, adjustments to the schedule are being made to ensure the regatta stays on track, setting up an important and exciting day ahead.
Full results are available at www.rowit.nz
Livestream coverage available at https://rowingnz.kiwi/livestream/ OR https://www.youtube.com/@rowingnz/streams
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.
