Rowing is the ultimate team sport and it is with that fact in mind that the Waihopai Rowing Club have developed the Waihopai Corpor8 Rowing Challenge.
The event was inspired by the provinces Canadian Regional Rowing Coaches who were involved in events back home where Corporate Rowing is an integral part the sport. The event began in 2002 with 7 crews contesting the Waihopai Corp8 Challenge trophy, but had grown to 33 eights and 6 quads for the 2006 event.
Each crew is made up of 10 individuals who undergo eight on the water training sessions. The reason for teams of ten is that it is hoped 8 will available for each training session. The emphasis of the training and racing is on team work and to that end experienced rowers are discouraged and current competitive rowers, with the exception of masters are excluded.
 Half way through the training, an Indoor event is held with each team member rowing 200m to get their team to the 2000m finish. This event is a big success with a lot of laughs as team members fall off/ are pushed off the machines as the individuals changed over. Thanks to Concept II, the virtual race software was used to add to the atmosphere.
The event itself was run in heats over 500m, with the winners progressing straight to the semi-final and the losers going to the repechage. Every crew races in a final.
Each crew had at least 3 races and some who go through the repechage have four. The rules state that there must be minimum of two people of each sex in the boat at anyone time, which often means that with men dominating the crews by number, the women get more of the racing.
The event entry fee is $1000 (+GST) for each eight of $600 (+ GST ) per Quad. This covers coaching, equipment, a T Shirt commemorating the event, a BBQ on the day and some liquid refreshment. Live entertainment provides a party atmosphere in the tent city at the completion of racing.
The event is unashameably a fundraising venture to help the clubs raise money for equipment. Last year both the Invercargill Rowing Club and Awarua Boating Club coached crews and shared in the profits.
For more details on the event contact John O’Connor. Mail to:Johnandjulie.oc@clear.net.nz or open this attachment:
The 2009 Waihopai Corpor8 Rowing Challenge Winners
2009 Corpor8 Eight Winners - Venture Southland 2009 Corpor8 Quad Winners NZ Police Deputy Dawgs
Event Winners:
Eights Quads
2002 Amalgamated Builders
2003 ASB Bank
2004 NZAS Rowing Stones
2005 Gen-i Knights
2006 Alliance Group Marketing - Elimin8oars Venture Southland
2007 Gen-i Knights SouthPort
2008 Venture Southland NZ Aluminium Smelters
Come and join us at this years event on the Oreti River
From 8am – Saturday 13th November
Corpor8 Rowing Challenge
EVERETT STUDIOS SHEET METALCRAFT WINDSOR NEW WORLD
DUO RESTAURANT WORLD HEALTH AND FITNESS KIWICRAFT
CLEANWAYS F. W. McDOWALL Ltd FULTON HOGAN
RICHARD PERNOD BIDVEST FOOD SERVICE |