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#123: Cashmere High School
Newsletter - December 2023
December 20232023 Aon Maadi Regatta NoticesNewsletter - Sitemap -
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News
Kia ora everyone,
The silly season is upon us and the regattas are coming thick and fast.
With both the Karapiro Club Regatta and the Marlborough Championships last weekend, it was a busy weekend for rowers across NZ. It looks like the South Island won the battle for the best regatta weather but I'm sure the long hot summer that the forecasters keep promising us, is just around the corner.
Best of luck for the rowers competing next weekend and we wish you all a happy and safe festive season.
From the teams at Rowing NZ & the Schools Committee
2024 Important Dates
- Aon North Island Secondary School Championships to be held on 1-3 March 2024 at Lake Karāpiro
- Meridian South Island Secondary School Championships to be held on 1-3 March 2024 at Lake Ruataniwha
- Aon Maadi Regatta to be held on 18-23 March 2024 at Lake Ruataniwha
2024 Livestreaming
Our three school regattas (NISS, SISS and Aon Maadi Regatta) are sanctioned events by School Sport NZ.
By sanctioning these events, School Sport NZ ensures a wide range of quality sport opportunities are accessible to the school sector and, importantly, that schools can have confidence in sending students.
For 2024 and onward a condition of sanctioning will be that ALL event providers must adhere to the following specific clauses:
- The ability for a school/principal to opt out of broadcasting for their teams at the point of principal sign off; and
- Events for U15 students will not be broadcast.
Please note: This only applies to U15 events not to other events where U15 students might be competing in such as the U18 novice events.
Can each school rowing committee please communicate this information to their U15 parents. The earlier this information is relayed and the expectation is set, the less chance there is for disappointment later in the season.
If you have any queries regarding this livestreaming policy, please contact Nicki Paterson from School Sport NZ.
SISS Regatta Medals
There will be a medal presentation on the podium for every A final at the 2024 South Island Secondary Schools Championships (SISS). Feedback was given at the end of last season that the return of a medal ceremony for SISS was wanted so in order to accommodate this, racing will begin on Friday morning instead of Friday afternoon.
Entry Limits
In response to the amendment to Regulation 7 (Entries) of the New Zealand Secondary Schools Rowing Association (NZSSRA) Regulations voted for in the January 2023 Special General Meeting (SGM), the Schools Committee have decided to request that Organising Committees impose a:
Three event per rower limit
for the three NZSSRA Championship regattas (NISS, SISS & Maadi) from 2024 onwards.
Please note: the entry limit applies to rowers, not coxswains.
There is no change to the boat limits for NISS, SISS or Maadi.
NZSSRA 2024 AGM
The 2024 NZSSRA AGM will be held straight after the safety briefing at the 2024 Aon Maadi Regatta in Twizel.
Key Dates to keep in mind as we move into the holiday season:
- 7 January 2024: nominations for NZSSRA life members close
- 21 January 2024: meeting notice sent and call for remits (this year is the review of the NZSSRA membership fee of $160)
- 11 February 2024: remits close, applications to host championships close, notice of 2025 proposed entry fees and charges close.
Urgent Assistance Boat Hire
Penhros Girls College from Perth, Western Australia are coming over with a small squad of Intermediate and Club graded girls to compete at the Karāpiro Christmas Regatta.
They are struggling to find any boats that are available to hire for the regatta. They are looking to hire:
- 2 x Eights
- 2 x Quads
- 1 x Gazebo
Are there any schools or clubs out there that are able to assist them please? I know they would be extremely grateful so please reach out to the Penhros Rowing Coordinator, Keith Reynolds [email protected] if you are able to help out. Let's show our Aussie friends some Christmas spirit!
Nutrition Seminar
Join the HPSNZ Head of Performance Nutrition, Christel Dunsea-Mooij and Olympic Silver Medallist, Brooke Francis, for an online chat about rowing nutrition and also touching on plant based nutrition in a sporting environment.
7pm, Wednesday 13 December REGISTER HERE.
U18 Nominations
If you are an athlete considering nominating for a representative team, please ensure you are familiar with Rowing NZ's Age Group and World University Selection Guidelines.
These guidelines detail requirements and due dates to be considered for selection.
2024 Under 18 North vs South Nominations
- U18 athlete applications open 1 January 2024 and close 25 February 2024.
- U18 coach applications are now open and close 10 January 2024.
- U18 manager applications are now open and close on 10 January 2024.
Rules of Racing
Over the last two to three seasons, our regattas have been impacted by the worldwide Covid pandemic.
Through this period, we have adapted and changed some of our rules to ensure we could deliver regattas and we should all very proud of what we have been able to achieve.
It is now time that we revert back to the NZRA and NZSSRA Rules of Racing.
We have been working with Karapiro Rowing and South Island Rowing to ensure there is a united approach to the implementation of the Rules of Racing.
If any of the normal NZRA or NZSSRA Rules of Racing will not be applied to a regatta, this will be advised in the regatta conditions.
Check, Clean, Dry Freshwater Gold Clams
The Check, Clean, Dry process is extremely important for all clubs and schools coming to Lake Karāpiro this season. The Freshwater Gold Clam was found along the Waikato River in May 2023. Overseas, this clam has proved difficult to control and eradication has never been achieved.
These clams reproduce rapidly (able to produce 400 juveniles a day and up to 70,000 juveniles a year) and form large populations that can clog water-based infrastructure such as electricity generation plants, irrigation systems, and water treatment plants. More information can be found HERE.
Just a reminder:
- ordinary detergent doesn't work
- bleach, heat or freezing is the only way to clean your absorbent materials
- blast your boats and oars with your hose (you may need to purchase a nozzle or gun attachment)
Aon Maadi Regatta Logo
For the 2024 Aon Maadi Regatta onwards, we would like schools to use the official logo as the word "Maadi" is a trademarked term and shouldn't be used in isolation.
Uniforms should refrain from using the word "Maadi" and rather use the full logo. We have the versions in the link available in different formats. The logo should appear separate from the school name/squad name/crew name and any associated sponsors/supporters names or logos.
The logo can not be used for commercial purposes or for purposes outside of uniform design, banner design or promoting the regatta to your school community. Any banners produced by the school for the regatta should use the official logo as a guide if the logo is being included.
The logo files can be downloaded HERE.
Any questions on this, can be directed to [email protected]
Update from South Island Rowing
South Island Rowing are looking forward to welcoming schools to Twizel for the 2024 NZ Secondary School Championships. Maadi is the largest regatta that South Island Rowing host and considerable work has been undertaken to ready the course for the 2024 event.
A decision was made last year to increase the capacity of the boat park by providing additional racks to accommodate another 200 skiffs. In order achieve this more space was needed and at the end of the 2023 season, the wilding pines were cleared from the area. Some existing racks have been refurbished and the process of lifting and resitting racks to take up the space created by the tree removal has begun.
It is hoped that the majority of the new racks will be installed before the regatta but it will be a 2 year project.
Taking the trees out was a big decision and the loss of shade they provided was a concern but thanks to the generosity of clubs, schools and individuals, a total of 35 Upright Oaks and Chinese Elms will be planted along the road and on the lake side of the racks.
Other projects include levelling of the trailer park just inside the gate. There was a considerable depression which sometimes flooded.
The bund behind this area has also been removed to provide more trailer parking.
Finally the hut at the 1000m mark has provided service for 40 years but exposure to the elements have taken its toll.
Thanks to one of our volunteers we were able to secure a damaged truck body which has been repaired and shortened.
Another group of volunteers have converted the structure so our starter can shelter from the elements rather than sitting on ladder in front of the old hut.
There is still work to do before the trailers roll up in mid-March 2024 but rest assured that everything will be in place to cater for what we know is always a great regatta.
Until then, we trust you have a great 2023-24 season.
From the team at South Island Rowing
