Rowing Maadi Cup 2025 and Wrap up

It was another highly successful Maadi Cup campaign for the St Andrew’s rowing squad, which returned to Christchurch with two silver and two bronze medals following the prestigious secondary schools’ rowing event at Lake Karapiro in late March.

Liam Parker, who took over as Rowing Manager in October last year, says he is “very proud” of the results.

“We had an awesome regatta, with some great performances on the water, and a great culture off it. The whole squad rallied around and supported each other.”

St Andrew’s qualified for an impressive eight A finals and 11 B finals, with the Girls’ U18 coxed eight, comprising Mollie Thomas, Sophia Drury (both Year 13), Sayler Hedgcock (Year 12), Jasmin Christie (Year 13), Chloe Lowe (Year 12), Isabella Cody (Year 13), Lucia Apse, Katie Taggart (both Year 12) and cox, George Ranken (Year 11), making the A final at Maadi Cup for the first time in the College’s history.

“The girls rowed an incredible race to finish fourth in the Levin Jubilee Cup, the premier race for Girls’ U18 coxed eight crews. With all but one of the girls also in the bronze medal winning U17 coxed eight crew, this performance will give them a lot of confidence going into the race next year.”

In the Girls’ U17 coxed eight event, the girls started their race strongly and were in second place at one stage, before holding onto third at the finish.

There were other impressive medal-winning performances by younger squad members, including standout performers in the Boys’ U15 events. Hugo Millar-Bell and Oliver O’Brien (both Year 11), who backed up their South Island gold medal with silver in the Boys’ U15 double at Maadi Cup. They also teamed up with Noah Hunter, Izaak Keen (both Year 11) and cox, Emily de Joux (Year 12), to claim a silver medal in the Boys’ U15 coxed four, the same result this crew achieved at the South Island championships.

The Boys’ U17 coxed four, Bradley Hughes, William Currie (both Year 13), Oliver Barker, Harry Pitts and cox, Emily de Joux (all Year 12), backed up after their impressive gold medal at the South Island Secondary Schools’ Rowing Championships to take bronze at Maadi Cup, with a final surge by Hamilton Boys’ College right on the line, denying St Andrew’s a national silver medal by just 0.08 of a second.

Other crews to make A finals were the Boys’ U18 Novice double (fourth), the Girls’ U17 four (seventh), and the Girls’ U16 double, comprising Emily Woodgate and Alanna Brook (both Year 12), who were the only South Island crew to make the final, finishing sixth in a field of around 60 entries.

“To be fifth or sixth in this event at the South Island Secondary Schools’ Rowing Championships, then to be the only South Island crew to make the A final, shows how far Emily and Alanna progressed during the season,” says Liam.

The squad of around 50 rowers were well supported by Head Boys’ Coach, Mitch White, Head Girls’ Coach, Marion Hardwick, and Boatman, Julian Martel, throughout the season, who without a Director of Rowing this year, ”put in a huge amount of effort”, says Liam, along with the volunteers and parent helpers who provided support behind the scenes.

“It’s been so cool to see our rowers’ progress on the water this season, and we’re already excited about the future and how much further they can go next year,” says Liam.

Maadi Cup A Final results:

• Boys U15 double: Hugo Millar-Bell, Oliver O’Brien – second;

• Boys U15 coxed four: Noah Hunter, Oliver O’Brien, Izaak Keen, Hugo Millar-Bell and Emily de Joux(cox) – second;

• Girls 17 coxed eight: Mollie Thomas, Katie Taggart, Chloe Lowe, Charlotte Galvan (Year 12), Sayler Hedgcock, Sophia Drury, Lucia Apse, Isabella Cody, Robbie Miller (cox) – third;

• Boys U17 coxed four: Bradley Hughes, William Currie, Oliver Barker, Harry Pitts, Emily de Joux (cox) – third;

• Boys U18 novice double: Cameron Sharpe (Year 11), Hugo Harris (Year 12) – fourth;

• Girls U18 coxed eight, Mollie Thomas, Sophia Drury, Sayler Hedgcock, Jasmin Christie, Chloe Lowe, Isabella Cody, Lucia Apse, Katie Taggart, George Ranken (cox) – fourth;

• Girls U16 double: Emily Woodgate, Alanna Brook – sixth;

• Girls U17 coxed four: Mollie Thomas, Katie Taggart, Chloe Lowe, Charlotte Galvan, Robbie Miller(cox): seventh.

Successful season for the rowing squad

South Island Secondary Schools’ Rowing Championships

St Andrew’s rowers had three great days of racing at the South Island Secondary Schools’ Championships, making an outstanding 27 A finals and seven B finals, with seven crews gaining podium finishes including three gold, two silver, and two bronze medals.

It was the boys’ crews who dominated the gold medal results, winning the Boys’ U15 double, Boys’ U15 coxed eight, and the Boys’ U17 coxed four.

Another highlight was St Andrew’s entering a top Girls’ U18 coxed eight for the first time, with the crew claiming bronze in this prestigious event, another first for St Andrew’s rowing.

Silver medals were also won by the Girls’ U17 coxed eight, and the Boys’ U15 coxed four, with the Boys’ U17 pair claiming the second bronze medal for St Andrew’s.

Other regattas

St Andrew’s had 82 rowers competing in perfect weather and rowing conditions at the South Island Rowing Championships in Twizel. Crews made 31 A finals and 11 B finals, winning six South Island titles and three bronze medals. Gold medals were won by the Boys’ U15 double, Girls’ U16 double, Girls’ U17 four, Boys’ U17 four, Girls’ U17 eight, and Girls’ U19 eight. The Girls’ U17 four, Boys’ U17 eight, and Boys’ Intermediate double won bronze.

At the Canterbury Rowing Championships regatta at Lake Ruataniwha, St Andrew’s crews made 22 A finals and seven B finals. Eight crews gained a top three placing in A finals, with the Girls’ U19 eight and Boys’ U17 eight winning their respective events.