Rangi Ruru Rowing on the World Stage
As Rangi Ruru student Charlotte Gorman (Year 12) competes for New Zealand at the U19 World Rowing Championships in Bulgaria, we reflect on a season that saw the evolution of the training, techniques and traditions that define Rangi Ruru rowing.
The squad continued Rangi Ruru’s strong rowing tradition while introducing new approaches to training, technical development and injury prevention, and hung up their oars with satisfaction after coming away with some very impressive South Island, national and international achievements, including:
- Five golds and two silvers from 11 A finals at the New Zealand Secondary School Rowing Championships, where Rangi Ruru finished third overall school and second overall sweep school
- Eight golds and two bronzes from 20 A finals and one B final at the South Island Secondary Schools
- Five ākonga – Beau Collier, Maddy Young, Amelia Jones, Charlie Ward and Charlie White – selected for the South vs North Island squad
- Charlie Ward and Charlotte Gorman selected to trial for the New Zealand Under 19 squad, with Charlotte earning selection
Rangi Ruru Social Studies teacher, and former New Zealand rower and Olympian, Fiona Paterson, who manages the programme, says the season was an opportunity to establish a new leadership team while continuing to evolve.
“It was a really fun and successful first season as a new team,” she says. “There was a lot of learning, as you would expect, and it’s exciting to be able to take that learning forward into next year. We are always striving to improve – to be faster, yes, but also to continually enhance the experience we provide for our rowers.”
One of the new initiatives was the introduction of a Development Programme, giving students the opportunity to combine rowing with another sport or develop their skills without committing to a full racing season.
“The Development Programme meant we could genuinely offer rowing to anyone who wanted the opportunity to be involved.”
Head coach James Armitage says the coaching team introduced fresh ideas while respecting the programme that was already in place.
“We were picking up a team that had been very well led and coached previously, so it would have been short-sighted to ignore what had gone before and change too much. The biggest changes we made were in the training programme and the technical focuses.”
He says one of the highlights of the season was the coaching group itself.
“I’ve never worked with a more aligned group of people. One of my greatest satisfactions from the season was seeing how much the coaching group developed and gained in skills and confidence. This was immediately and directly reflected by how the girls rowed and performed.”
The squad also took a different approach into major regattas.
“We didn’t go to the major regattas talking about titles or beating other crews. We went with a focus on boat feel, technical development and challenging but achievable times.”
Student co-head of rowing Tallulah Nelson (Year 13) says the culture of the programme remained one of its greatest strengths.
“For all four seasons we’ve rowed, the culture has been the secret to our success.”
She says the squad embraced the evolution of the programme.
“The level of knowledge [coaches and management] had was outstanding and showed through in our results. Having more coaches meant multiple different views and opinions, as well as more one-on-one coaching time for technical advice.”
Looking back on her time as a senior rower, she says watching younger rowers develop has been particularly rewarding.
“It’s especially amazing to see the development of the novices, both as rowers and as people, learning their way through such a demanding but rewarding sport. The shock of early mornings and summer holidays in Twizel quickly becomes normal for them.”
For fellow co-head of rowing, Amelie Wilke (Year 13), it was the people who made the season memorable.
“Everything just felt more meaningful and the team was a lot closer. It was probably one of the most enjoyable seasons, not just because of the results but because of the people and the overall vibe.”
She says the squad’s progress extended well beyond race results.
“On the water, there’s been clear progress in speed and how well crews work together. Off the water, people have grown in confidence, leadership and just being better teammates. The culture is definitely stronger than it’s been before.”
Even though it was her last season rowing in the blue and gold, Amelie says she will always be cheering the squad on from afar.
“The squad is in a really good place going forward, and I’m excited to see what the next group does with it.”
While the boats may be packed away, the 5am alarms deactivated and winter sports well and truly taking centre stage, we look forward to what the 2026/27 season will hold when it begins in Term 4.