St Mag’s Kaiapoi takes third in maiden race
St Margaret’s has named their new boat Kaiapoi, after the river they practised on following the quakes.
St Margaret’s rowing squad has named their new boat after the river they practised on following the Christchurch earthquakes.
The boat, which had its first race today in the girl under 15 four semi-final, is named Kaiapoi.
They placed third in the race and are on to the final.
Coach Trudy Keys said they had planned to buy a new boat for the regatta, and were tossing around name ideas. “We wanted to remember something to do with the relationship with what we’ve gone through since the earthquake.”
After the quakes, the team had to relocate from the Avon River to Kaiapoi River – a 20-minute bus trip away as opposed to their usual bike ride.
Keys believed that the new boat made “no iota of difference” due to the many variables in school rowing, but that “to be rowing in a nice, shiny, new boat has a huge mental advantage”.
St Margaret’s, who took home the Levin Jubilee Cup last year, are hoping to again this year. “We’ve come here to defend our title and we feel like we’re on track,” said Keys.
“When everything’s on the line to make the final, it can be absolutely cut throat racing for some of those poor kids.”
They are doing well elsewhere in the competition, after qualifying fastest in the under 17 four, under 18 lightweight four and under 18 four. They also qualified second fastest in the under 16 four.
