This article was written before the release of the entry draw due to the late release of supplementary entries.
The men’s Open Single, one of the more prestigious events of the Christmas Regatta, but with such a wide range of potential entrants, one of the hardest to predict. Will it be a young buck trying to hang with the big boys who causes a stir through the banks of Karāpiro or will it be a more experienced campaigner showing their class? I will try to delve into the nuances of the men’s Open Single, but there truly could be anything come Sunday’s final. One thing I do know for sure, there will be some fast, frantic and highly contested sculling. Some true technicians of the sculling world will be leaving it out there on the lake as they vie to earn their roast turkey.
Tauranga Rowing Club – James Hollard
Hailing from Tauranga Rowing Club is a strong contender for the men’s Open Single – James Hollard. Hollard is coached by Simon Aubrey, who, I am sure, will not be letting Hollard relax up Mount Maunganui without a strong showing at the Christmas Regatta. Hollard has started the season formidably across four boat classes at last month’s Club Regatta. A technically efficient sculler, Hollard has also shown promise in the men’s Open Pair. Coming off a successful U22 season last year, Hollard will be looking to show the older statesmen who he is and that he is here to hang around. Although he might be younger than some of the other scullers in this field, I would certainly give him a fighting chance. His pedigree is certainly there, having recently been named in the Rowing NZ Summer Pathway Squads. Once he finds his rhythm, look out for this Tauranga oarsman towards the front of the pack of the men’s Open Single.
Waikato Rowing Club – Karl Manson
Manson; one of the most well-known names when it comes to men’s sculling in this country, and after winning silver at the Head of the Charles in the double earlier this year, Karl Manson is back on home waters this Christmas. Karl competed in Masters events the past few years, but he has returned to the open class with a smart victory at the recent Club Regatta in the men’s Open Single. Overall, a strong performance across three boat classes, the Waikato Rowing Club oarsman will be wanting to continue the early speed he has shown. Some of the strongest competition will come from fellow Waikato sculler; Ben Olifiers. Having spent a lot of time on Lake Karāpiro, Manson will know what it takes to win at the Christmas Regatta and that will be his desire.
Waikato Rowing Club – Ryan Gass
Following a move away from Auckland and Auckland Rowing Club, Ryan Gass now finds himself in the tricoloured rowsuit of Waikato Rowing Club. Gass has found success in recent years before moving down State Highway 1, where he has shown early stages of even greater speed. Training alongside the aforementioned Olifiers and Manson, Gass performed admirably in his most recent outing in the Open Single sculls. A reserve at the 2024 U23 World Championships and a recently named member of the 2025 Rowing NZ Summer Pathway squads, Gass will certainly have a point to prove this festive season. He will undoubtedly have a busy few days on the water, but he will be near the front in all boats that have Gass. Look out for this young sculler for this Christmas Regatta and many more beyond.
Notable Mentions
With the nuance of the men’s Open Single, you could have premier scullers showing their class and proving what they can do on their home water. Ben Olifiers is a name I have already mentioned, and alongside another potential premier sculler, Jack Pearson, they could certainly rough the waters of this event. So be very wary of any premier scullers who look to team up here in the Open Double scull.
Prediction
Having already shown some of the premier scullers who is boss this season, Karl Manson would be my favourite to take home the title in the Open Single scull for this year. I am backing him to continue his run into Christmas as he did at the Club Regatta a few weeks prior. Whoever enters the hurt locker that is the men’s Open Single scull, there won’t be much better sculling on show the entire weekend. You are in for a treat, ladies and gentlemen.
