Mollie Gibson and one of her Ashburton College crews head out onto the water during the weekend’s Canterbury Junior Rowing Regatta at Lake Hood. Photos Heather MackenzieWith just three weeks to go until the most prestigious event in New Zealand secondary school rowing – the Maadi Cup – gets under way, Ashburton’s young rowers are starting to hit their straps.

A number of young Ashburton crews were in action at Lake Hood over the weekend, when the lake played host to the Canterbury Junior Regatta, and it was another successful meet, resulting in three medals to Ashburton crews.

Mollie Gibson was the star, teaming up with Aidan Elvines to take gold in the girls’ under-18 pair and bronze in the girls’ under-18 double, as well as claiming silver in the girls’ under-18 single.

Ged Wall just missed out on a podium finish, crossing the line in fourth in the boys’ under-16 single, and finishing sixth in the boys’ under-17 single.

Elvines also picked up a sixth placing, in the girls’ under-18 single.

Wall also teamed up with Paddy Dekker for the boys’ under-17 double where they made the B final and finished second.

Near perfect conditions for rowing contributed to a fantastic weekend of rowing at Lake Hood, and Ashburton College’s young rowers now hoped that the good weather would hang around for a few days, with a big weekend of rowing awaiting them in Twizel.

Crews are set to head south this weekend, with the South Island Secondary Schools’ Rowing Championships being held at Lake Ruataniwha from Friday until Sunday.

The big one – the national secondary schools’ Maadi Cup – would then be held at Lake Karapiro near Cambridge, from March 25.

© The Ashburton Guardian - 4 March 2019