Isabel Wall on the podium following her success in the para single sculls at the National Rowing Championships in Twizel. Photo supplied.The Ashburton Rowing Club fraternity made sure their presence was felt at the National Rowing Championships on Lake Ruataniwha near Twizel, which wrapped up on the weekend, with some strong performances.

And while there were many highlights from the days of rowing, it was the success of Isabel Wall in the A Final of the open para singles scull with a dominant performance on the water that was most notable.

Wall was 13 seconds clear of her nearest rival in the final, beating East Coast rower Gavin Foulsham into second with Anthony Spijkerman finishing third.

The surname Wall kept up its proud record of being a name worth remembering in rowing circles throughout the championships with former Ashburton College rower and multi Maadi Cup winner, Veronica Wall also to the fore.

Competing for Southern Rowing, representing Ashburton, and also for the Rowing New Zealand team – Wall put all her class on the water to win the A Final of the women’s Under 22 single sculls, with a six second victory.

She combined with Kathryn Glen in the Under 22 double sculls and picked up another success when they won their A Final as well.

Wall’s week closed with an appearance in the Women’s Premier Coxless Quad Sculls when they finished third in a line-up of some of the most exciting female rowers in the country.

Her week was capped off with selection in the Rowing New Zealand Under 23 and Winter Training Squad trials, which puts her in contention for Paris 2024 Olympic selection.

Gerard Wall was also in fine action over the course of the championships.

He made his way through to the men’s club singles sculls A Final where he placed fourth after winning his heat, and then finishing third in the semi-final.

He joined forces with Matthew Pearce to claim fourth in the B Final of the men’s single sculls while Pearce also made an appearance in the A Final of the men’s intermediate singles sculls.

Wall formed part of the men’s coxless quad sculls team rowing for Canterbury and that quartet was successful in winning their B Final.

Other good results from Ashburton rowers included the men’s intermediate coxed quad sculls finishing fifth in their A Final event.

That team consisted of Zane Cameron, Riley Harris, Henry Wallis, Mitch Taylor and Charles Savage.

The same combination also competed in the men’s intermediate coxed quad sculls where they placed fourth in the B Final.

By Matt Markham © The Ashburton Guardian - 24 February 2021