More than 160 schools are making their way to the NZ Secondary Schools Rowing Championships in Cambridge, and they are coming from all corners.
Maadi Cup Parade 2023
The annual guessing game about the time and distance that separates the schools from Te Ika-a-Maui and Te Waipounamu over 2000m is about to be answered when racing at the 78th Maadi Regatta begins on Monday.
The livestream of the South and North Island Schools championships only adds to the intrigue. Different conditions across all times of the day make the rule of thumb that Karāpiro is 10 seconds quicker than Ruataniwha – where Maadi is held in alternate years – virtually meaningless.
Two mixed senior events were offered at last month’s New Zealand Championships and so it seems only logical mixed events will become part of schools rowing.
Waikato Diocesan led the charge at North Islands in the Girls’ U18 final, with Westlake Girls and Auckland Dio taking the other podium spots. Westlake, St Peter’s College, Hamilton Boys, Sacred Heart and King’s took the top five spots in the Boys’ 18 final.
Imogen Short, 17, Waiuku, left and Hannah Stuart, 17, Roto-o-Rangi, right held the banner for St Peter’s School, Cambridge.
It’s been a long personal journey back to Maadi for Ngaruawahia High School coach and former student Campbell Haggie.
He’s looking after his brother Charles’ grandson Kahu at the regatta. The black and green quarters were last at Maadi in 2019.
Before that? Possibly in the era when Campbell himself was rowing for the school.
“We got fifth in the Springbok Shield…early ‘70s or ‘69,” says Campbell.
Well, that’s more than 50 years ago. Their route to the U19 Four (as it was then) was unusual. “We actually got disqualified from the U17 Four,” says Campbell. “We won our semifinal by over 500 metres…they said we were too good for that class and got kicked out of our final and we just had to row in the Springbok Shield…that’s what they did in those days.”
The 2021 Maadi Cup parade reaches Cambridge’s Town Square after parading through the town. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
This Maadi Regatta will have even more significance than usual for Waipā mayor Susan O’Regan, whose daughter Lily Hayward is in her novice year at Waikato Diocesan.
Family affair: Susan O’Regan and family at her swearng in, from left: Lily, George, Jack, husband John Hayward, Emily and Ben. Photo: Mary Anne Gill.
“It’s a part of normal life to see rowing trailers stacked to the brim with boats, but there is a special excitement around Maadi because it is the pinnacle,” says O’Regan.
“It’s more than just the trophies, it’s the energy, the passion, the whole thing, so there is a specialness about Maadi.”
An economic impact study from Maadi in 2021 estimated the value to the area at more than $13 million.
Compared with non-event days, attractions like Maadi boost hospitality by around 50 percent. Fuel and groceries transactions increase by up to 15%.
And you’ll struggle to find an empty hall, holiday park, marae or sports club putting up the more than 2250 athletes plus parent helpers, spectators and coaches for this year’s regatta.
But you will find empty pie warmers if you’re not quick enough. Leamington Bakery and Cafe loves Maadi Regatta. Manager Bea McKenzie reckons sales double for the week, and they get a big boost in off-site catering jobs as well.
Lake Karapiro
Action from the New Zealand Secondary Schools Rowing Championship (Maadi Cup) in the South Island last year. Photo: Sharon Bennett.
