Rowing is a growing sport in New Zealand and is one of the country’s more successful sports.  In rowing there is a place for everyone, young or old.  The sport offers something for everybody but the essential experience is the joy of moving a boat as part of a team.  In rowing a crew only works well if all the members are contributing and the excitement of being part of a good crew has to be felt to be believed.  The Avon Rowing Club is the biggest rowing club in the country with nearly 300 active members.  We offer rowing for all ages and abilities from beginners to Olympic medallists.  We have a proud history of success locally, nationally and internationally.  Most New Zealand representative rowing teams have Avon members and we have 10 Olympic Medallists on our Honours Board.  Our complex at Kerr’s Reach on the Avon River in Christchurch houses our fleet of boats and also has a large indoor rowing room where members can train on rowing machines or in a well equipped weight lifting area.  The Avon provides reliable training water, almost immune to weather, and a safe and stable environment for learning to row and for training.  Three boatsheds contain our equipment and that of the six school rowing clubs affiliated to us, in total we have nearly 20 eight oared shells, over 30 fours and numerous smaller boats. The recently upgraded main shed has changing facilities and a social area.

For competitive rowers the New Zealand Championships in February are the highlight. The regatta is held alternately on Lake Ruataniwha in Twizel and Lake Karapiro near Cambridge.  We attend other regattas throughout the year with summer being the busiest period.  During the winter months training carries on at a lower level with the aim of building basic fitness and skill levels. 

Our top athletes have plenty of opportunity to follow their dreams.  Our close relationship with the Regional Performance Centre (RPC) ensures that there is a seamless pathway from club rowing through into the world leading Rowing New Zealand system. 

Alongside the competitive younger athletes we have several groups of recreational and Masters (over 27) rowers.  Some row just for fun and exercise and others compete in various Masters events around New Zealand.

Avon has a very strong coaching team.  Duncan Holland, the Head Coach is a full time professional and is assisted by a group of volunteers.  Our current team includes Olympic medallists and we have four coaches with international credentials.  Recruits for the coaching team are always welcome and Duncan provides support and continuing education for the newer coaches.

Six school rowing clubs are affiliated to Avon; St Andrew’s, St Bede’s, Burnside, St Margaret’s, Marian, and Villa Maria.  Pupils from these schools can join through their school clubs.  We offer a limited amount of junior rowing for pupils from other schools. 

 Beginners (Novices)Rowers in their first year are classified as Novices.  Our Novice programme runs from April through to the National Championships in February.  During the winter the training is twice weekly and this builds to six sessions per week after Christmas.  The aim for this group is to win National Titles.  This group is suitable for adults from 18 upwards. 

Club Squad After a Novice year rowers are classified as Club level.  This squad is for those who have some experience in the sport and for young people leaving their school rowing clubs.  Training for this group is two or three times per week for the winter, building to six to eight sessions weekly after Christmas.  The goal is to win National titles and to prepare athletes for higher level rowing. 

High Performance SquadThis group is for those aspiring to high level honours.  Training is intense all year round and is intended to prepare the athlete to compete at top National level and to compete for places in the RPC and National Teams.  

Master RowingWe have several groups of Masters (Veteran) rowers.  Some are competitive and some just row for fun and fitness.  

ExpectationsRowing is a team sport and we expect that our members understand this and behave appropriately.  A crew cannot function without all its members.  Once you are committed to a team then attendance at all training sessions, and at all regattas and camps is essential.  The volume of training is high compared to other sports but the rewards are also!  All competitive crews attend the regattas listed above and all crew members should plan their season to allow for this. 

SocialThe club has an active social side.  Rowing crews tend to play together as well as train and race together and trips away often provide the highlight of a season. 

 

CostRowing requires specialised equipment and coaching, and the club provides and subsidises this.  The necessary travel and accommodations costs are met by the athletes.  The Club Subscription is entitles a competitive member access to appropriate boats, oars and coaching and pays entry fees and boat transport to regattas.  For a Novice the sub is $390 per year and for a full member $690.  Masters, recreational rowers and part season members pay a smaller fee.  Travel and accommodation costs for a full season will be between $600 and $1000. 

Give it a tryNew members can join for a small fee to allow them to try the sport and see if they enjoy it.  If they decide to stay this contribution is credited against their full sub. 

FAQWho can row?                Almost anybody!  Rowing suits tall people but anyone of a normal height can row.                We recommend that children be 15 before they start rowing.What is the time commitment?                For top level crews up to 14 times per week! For normal competitive crews 2 to 3 times per week in winter, 6 per week in the summer.For recreational rowers – what you want>What is the cost?                About $1500 per year for competitive rowing, $100 to $200 for recreational rowing.