Sun shines brightly on young rowers

The three Oamaru high schools performed well in glorious conditions at the Mazda Canterbury Rowing Championships held at Lake Hood in Ashburton during the weekend.

The Waitaki Boys' High School double team of Thomas Galbraith (year 13) and Mark Taylor (year 10) took a bronze medal in the Under-18 Novice Men's Double with Josh Proctor and Josh Harris finishing in sixth place.

The pair only took to rowing in October but were confident of a medal following a successful first race.

"We were hoping for a medal, we looked at the other times and we were confident," said Galbraith.

"I slipped forward and lost my oar but we weren't far behind [first and second]."

Maysie Scott led the charge for WGHS, taking third spot in the Girls Under-17 singles finishing behind Ashburton's Kate Hayman and Alice Riley of St Andrew's College in Christchurch.

Oamaru Rowing Club publicity officer Stew Mitchell said the competition served as a great warm-up for the national competition which begins today and was delighted with the results from the Oamaru contingent.

"I think that a lot of them brought up the results we'd been waiting for," Mitchell said.

"The highlight was Thomas Galbraith and Mark Taylor getting their bronze, it's great to see Waitaki Boys' medalling after a bit of a drought so that's a sign of things to come.

"The St Kevin's young group were also good and the Waitaki Girls' fours, it was good results across the board."