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New life in an older boat
Westlake Girls and Otahuhu create a connection through rowing.
Rowing dads Paul Howker and Andrew Chatfield were having a chat at Camp Epworth about a story they’d seen on RowingHub.
Opportunity at OC - Rowing Hub
“We were actually at summer camp,” says Paul, who’s the chair of Westlake Girls Rowing Society. “It was about Otahuhu College starting up a programme after 50 years of not rowing. We thought it was quite a cool story and just sort of thought, well, we’re getting a new boat, what about we reach out and ask them would they have any use for an older boat that we are potentially retiring.”
The new boat’s since been christened ‘Ururoto’, to reflect the school’s vicinity with nearby Lake Pupuke on Auckland’s North Shore.
The retired boat started its rowing journey at the same lakeshore more than 20 years ago, named in honour of invaluable committee member and camp mum Joan Scott.
When Otahuhu principal Neil Watson got an email from Paul offering up the ‘Joan Scott’, he didn’t hesitate.
“It’s things like this that make the sport so special,” says Neil. “The idea of people giving other people the opportunity to be involved in the sport and grow the sport.”
Otahuhu College Principal Neil Watson being presented with the “Joan Scott” donated to them by Westlake Girls High School and shaking hands with the boat's namesake, Joan Scott.
Otahuhu College's novice eight at the Dewar Shield regatta at the Blue Lake in January.
Two Sundays ago, Westlake loaded the ‘Joan Scott’ onto a trailer and set off for Auckland Rowing Club, where Otahuhu is based.
“It was just a really nice moment, and I guess shows the generosity of the rowing community,” says Neil. “Most of our kids were at Sunday Mass but they were very excited when they heard about it and they’re really looking forward to going out for a row in it.”
The arrival of the Joan Scott means much more than just an extra boat to Otahuhu head coach Lanea Tuiasosopo. She was rowing captain at UCLA and came to New Zealand on a Fulbright scholarship looking at how opportunities for Pasifika people to participate in sport here compares with the United States. She’s now a data analyst for Moana Pasifika rugby.
“ I'm inspired by the sporting culture here and the leaders in that space wanting to diversify the representation of Pasifika people,” says Lanea. “We are anything that our young people set their minds to and there should be no barriers to that.”
“This boat is a symbol of true friendship and sportsmanship and will make a positive impact on our programme by giving us more options for training and competition. This is one valuable step closer to equity.”
Lanea Tuiasosopo (fourth from right) with her Otahuhu College rowers, their support staff and some of the Elite athletes on a recent visit to Rowing NZ HQ.
Joan’s had two Westlake boats named after her. The first one was on-sold but she was out at Auckland Rowing Club to see the second one start its second life.
“ I think it’s fantastic,” says Joan, who had two daughters and a niece go through Westlake Girls rowing.
“Rowing's a great sport to develop friendships which just keep going...how they develop from their novice year right through to when they become seniors.
“Neil said they had about 30 rowers at Otahuhu, so I’m excited for them and I wish them well.”
For now, Joan’s name will stay on the bow, but could there be a re-wrapping to the blue and yellow of its new owners?
“Our first priority would be getting some quad riggers for it,” says Neil. “We would love to have it in Otahuhu colours but that doesn't matter so much as the fact that we’ve got a boat to row in because of Westlake’s generosity and support.”
Paul was there with a group of Westlake girls, and he could see the impact it had on them.
“I think actually they were a little bit blown away...just being able to gift something to help others on their journey to start rowing.”
“ We'll obviously look out for them at regattas,” says Paul. “One or two of the girls said they’d like to go and look for the Joan Scott in the boat park when they know the Otahuhu kids are rowing in it...I think we will try and stay close and if we can help them with anything in the future, we'd certainly like to do that.”
Andy Hay
Andy Hay is a freelance producer, writer and rowing coach. He was cox of the world champion New Zealand eight of 1982 and '83. He is NZ Olympian #446.
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- Home
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- School Rowing
- /
- New life in...
New life in an older boat
Westlake Girls and Otahuhu create a connection through rowing.
Rowing dads Paul Howker and Andrew Chatfield were having a chat at Camp Epworth about a story they’d seen on RowingHub.
Opportunity at OC - Rowing Hub
“We were actually at summer camp,” says Paul, who’s the chair of Westlake Girls Rowing Society. “It was about Otahuhu College starting up a programme after 50 years of not rowing. We thought it was quite a cool story and just sort of thought, well, we’re getting a new boat, what about we reach out and ask them would they have any use for an older boat that we are potentially retiring.”
The new boat’s since been christened ‘Ururoto’, to reflect the school’s vicinity with nearby Lake Pupuke on Auckland’s North Shore.
The retired boat started its rowing journey at the same lakeshore more than 20 years ago, named in honour of invaluable committee member and camp mum Joan Scott.
When Otahuhu principal Neil Watson got an email from Paul offering up the ‘Joan Scott’, he didn’t hesitate.
“It’s things like this that make the sport so special,” says Neil. “The idea of people giving other people the opportunity to be involved in the sport and grow the sport.”
Otahuhu College Principal Neil Watson being presented with the “Joan Scott” donated to them by Westlake Girls High School and shaking hands with the boat's namesake, Joan Scott.
Otahuhu College's novice eight at the Dewar Shield regatta at the Blue Lake in January.
Two Sundays ago, Westlake loaded the ‘Joan Scott’ onto a trailer and set off for Auckland Rowing Club, where Otahuhu is based.
“It was just a really nice moment, and I guess shows the generosity of the rowing community,” says Neil. “Most of our kids were at Sunday Mass but they were very excited when they heard about it and they’re really looking forward to going out for a row in it.”
The arrival of the Joan Scott means much more than just an extra boat to Otahuhu head coach Lanea Tuiasosopo. She was rowing captain at UCLA and came to New Zealand on a Fulbright scholarship looking at how opportunities for Pasifika people to participate in sport here compares with the United States. She’s now a data analyst for Moana Pasifika rugby.
“ I'm inspired by the sporting culture here and the leaders in that space wanting to diversify the representation of Pasifika people,” says Lanea. “We are anything that our young people set their minds to and there should be no barriers to that.”
“This boat is a symbol of true friendship and sportsmanship and will make a positive impact on our programme by giving us more options for training and competition. This is one valuable step closer to equity.”
Lanea Tuiasosopo (fourth from right) with her Otahuhu College rowers, their support staff and some of the Elite athletes on a recent visit to Rowing NZ HQ.
Joan’s had two Westlake boats named after her. The first one was on-sold but she was out at Auckland Rowing Club to see the second one start its second life.
“ I think it’s fantastic,” says Joan, who had two daughters and a niece go through Westlake Girls rowing.
“Rowing's a great sport to develop friendships which just keep going...how they develop from their novice year right through to when they become seniors.
“Neil said they had about 30 rowers at Otahuhu, so I’m excited for them and I wish them well.”
For now, Joan’s name will stay on the bow, but could there be a re-wrapping to the blue and yellow of its new owners?
“Our first priority would be getting some quad riggers for it,” says Neil. “We would love to have it in Otahuhu colours but that doesn't matter so much as the fact that we’ve got a boat to row in because of Westlake’s generosity and support.”
Paul was there with a group of Westlake girls, and he could see the impact it had on them.
“I think actually they were a little bit blown away...just being able to gift something to help others on their journey to start rowing.”
“ We'll obviously look out for them at regattas,” says Paul. “One or two of the girls said they’d like to go and look for the Joan Scott in the boat park when they know the Otahuhu kids are rowing in it...I think we will try and stay close and if we can help them with anything in the future, we'd certainly like to do that.”
Andy Hay
Andy Hay is a freelance producer, writer and rowing coach. He was cox of the world champion New Zealand eight of 1982 and '83. He is NZ Olympian #446.
