They came, they battled the swells, they braved the rain – they had fun.

They were the alumni returning to the lake for the school’s first rowing reunion last Friday.

 

About 20 took up the chance to get back in the school boats in the first part of the reunion, which was followed by an evening event at school hosted by the Alumni Association.  They included an original crew of four and plenty of real rowing pedigree.  The Barrell sisters – Amelia and Sophia – rowed together for the first time, having been in separate crews at school.  Parents and grandparents, who had spent many a day lakeside, were back to observe the action.

 

That evening, a much larger group gathered at school for drinks and nibbles, sharing stories and reminiscing over photos from the last 50 years of school rowing.

 

Head of School Marcus Blackburn welcomed the returnees and emphasised the school’s ongoing support for the rowing programme.  Janey Charlton, former Director of Rowing, shared stories of the rich history of rowing at school and current Director of Rowing Josh Wedlake provided an update on the current programme, including the competition for spots in the school team for Maadi Cup, Lake Ruataniwha (18-23 March 2024).  Alumni chair David Wybourne spoke of the importance of alumni values.  The formalities closed with a special presentation to coach Norm, his daughter Janey, and the Charlton family for their contribution to St Peter’s rowing for more than three decades.

 

Director of Rowing John Drummond, who was also present, roped Norm into helping with the rowing programme when Janey and her siblings were at school.  Janey later spent 17 years as St Peter’s Director of Rowing before moving to her current role at Rowing New Zealand.  Norm is still part of the school coaching team.

 

A great event.  Mark the calendar for next March when Maadi Cup will be back at Karapiro and we’ll get the rowing crew back together again.