With only one iteration of the Men’s Senior Singles so far this season in the South Island, the event is left open for anyone to take at the South Island Club Championships. With Dunstan Arm Rowing Club sweeping this event at last year’s edition, there will be many challengers looking to change or repeat that result in 2026.
Dunstan Arm Rowing Club – Lewis Meates
With two Dunstan athletes on the podium at the latest Canterbury Championships, the club’s strength in sculling is clear, and we can expect to see at least one feature strongly at this regatta. Coming off a fresh win in the event two weeks ago, Lewis Meates arrives in strong form and will be looking to repeat that result. Having been part of New Zealand’s 2025 World Universities team and following his recent move to Dunstan, he has shown a clear desire to compete at a high level. After winning by two seconds last time out, he will be aiming to extend his lead and push away any competitors.
Oamaru Rowing Club – Logan Docherty
Former U23 New Zealand Lightweight Men’s Double rower Logan Docherty will be one to watch in this event, particularly after finishing just two seconds behind the winner at his most recent outing. That narrow second-place result will leave him hungry for gold at this regatta, especially given his pedigree as a two-time Gold Coast champion and a rower who is no stranger to winning at a high level. If he lines up in the Senior Single, he will be a serious contender, with the only remaining question being whether he chooses to compete in the Senior or Premier Single at the South Island Club Championships.
Wairau Rowing Club – Zach Jenkins & Aidan Bennett
After winning the Club Pair at the Canterbury Championships, Jenkins and Bennett also impressed in the Senior Singles, finishing fourth and fifth respectively. That performance is even more notable given that Bennett is still U18 at Marlborough Boys’ College and competing against athletes with several years of club experience. On the back of those results, the two young underdogs can be expected to be pushing hard for a podium position, with the key question being whether they can translate that form into a genuine challenge in this event.
Prediction
This event is likely to be hard fought, with scullers chasing a strong result at the final major regatta before Nationals. Dunstan can be expected to feature on the podium, with the main question being how many of their athletes will make it, while Wairau and Oamaru also have strong potential to be in the mix. However, with entries not yet closed or published, this remains a wide-open event and is very much anyone’s for the taking.
