In a familiar South Island story that unfolds year after year, I do not doubt that the men’s club eights will be a test of Avon Rowing Club against the rest of the South Island. An exciting event to watch nonetheless, and one that is widely entered at the NZ Rowing Championships, the South Island Champs will provide a good opportunity to gauge the South Island’s speed against the North Island’s.
Avon Rowing Club
If there was ever a club that needed no introduction, it would be Avon Rowing Club. Avon have had a wildly successful sweep group this season, and it is no surprise: the squad depth that Avon have in attracting talent from across the country is almost unmatched. With half the field of the A-final at the Canterbury Champs being comprised of Avon eights, I would expect them to feature strongly again at the South Island Rowing Champs. The Club category has typically been one of the most condensed ability grades, with Intermediates often racing up into the lower ‘ranked’ club eights, and experienced club rowers who are yet to break into the competitive Senior category racing as well. The ‘A’ Avon club eight was well ahead of the rest of the field, with a significant eight-second margin over second-placed Dunstan. Finishing out the podium at the Canterbury Champs was the Avon ‘B’ eight, who beat out a composite Canterbury Rowing Club crew with a one-second margin. A similar Avon Eight won the club eight at the Otago Champs a few weeks prior; internally, competition looks to have ramped up higher with seat swaps throughout the first and second eights. I would expect Avon to win the event again.
Dunstan Arm Rowing Club
Typically, a club known for sculling, Dunstan entered a new-look Club Eight into both the Otago and Canterbury Rowing Champs this season. At the Canterbury Champs, the Dunstan eight was quite a margin behind the Avon Eight, but ahead of their second eight, which bodes well for Dunstan. Their ability to fend off a swift Avon Eight is impressive, as this season Avon has had one of their strongest club and senior squads in recent history. This shows an upward trajectory, with a similar Dunstan Eight finishing only sixth at the Otago Champs, well away from the two Avon Eights. The story was different at the Canterbury Champs, and beat out an eight that had taken quite a margin on them a few weeks prior. With the trajectory of improvement that Dunstan seems to be having, I would be surprised if they didn’t close the gap on Avon more. I would expect them to podium at the South Island Rowing Champs, with the gap between themselves and the Avon crew slightly closer.
Predictions
Avon will no doubt win this event again, and I expect the most significant battle to be for the other two podium positions. Dunstan has improved quickly, but the second Avon Eight were nipping on their heels at the Canterbury Champs. Second place will be tight, but if the Dunstan crew have improved since last regatta, they should be solidly in place to win the silver medal.
