Eleven teams from a wide range of Marlborough businesses took part in this year’s Corporate 8 Regatta, hosted by the Wairau Rowing Club on Saturday.
The annual event attracted a large turnout, both on and off the water.
The teams had previously trained for a week on indoor ergs, followed by three weeks preparation on the Wairau River to hone their teamwork and skills before Saturday’s races, staged over a 400m course.
Conditions on the day were perfect, with calm winds and a good flow on the river after a few days of turbulent weather.
With the Wairau Rowing Club providing expert coaching and coxswains, event organizer John Flanagan said that no rowing experience was necessary, and it was great to have so many newcomers to the sport this year.
“It is pleasing to have teams competing for the first time and this year we also had an all-female crew from WK Accountants and Advisors who rowed exceptionally well,” he added.
For Adrienn Davis-Szalma from the WK team this was her first time in a rowing boat and she relished the opportunity.
“It has been really good, our coach Barry Chandler and cox Lucy Simmonds are amazing … they have got us going well. We don’t try to be too powerful but we get the movement.
“I am just doing it for fun, and the team, to represent our workplace … it is good for camaraderie at work and also the community. I will be back next year.”
Event first-timers Liquid Action showed great determination and technique to finish third overall. Both Constellation Brands NZ and Cloudy Bay Vineyards had two crews entered this year, with the Cloudy Bay 1 and Indevin crews dead-heating in the race for the Wairau Oar, demonstrating how close the competition was. Other notable achievements included a win in the social grade for Wairau Gateway, showing the benefit of competing in the event for their sixth year, and a strong showing by the Marlborough Lines crew who performed well in their second year back.
The Trophy race came down to a battle between the defending champions from Dog Point Vineyards and 2024 champs Babich Wine. Both crews were unbeaten in the lead up to the decider and after a hard-fought final the Dog Point crew retained the Liquid Action Trophy.
At the prizegiving Wairau Rowing Club President, Ivan Sutherland, expressed his gratitude to the crews who competed and for the sponsorship provided by Liquid Action Limited.
“The money raised by this event will support the Marlborough Boys’ and Girls’ College’s rowing crews and will ensure the continued development and success of Marlborough rowers,” Ivan added.
The 2027 event will again be held in October. Companies or organisations interested in putting in a crew next year can contact the organisers at john.flanagan@cloudybay.co.nz.
