Rowing: Clifton flag flying high

Clifton Rowing Club 

Photo: Back row (L-R): Gabrielle Robinson (Coxswain), Isla Robinson, Jessie Pulford, Clayton Potts, Ollie Kolhase, Bella Neale, Francie O'Sullivan, Eliya Shlosberg, Joanna Harrison. Front row (L-R): Greg Cox (Coach), Jack Hurley, Liam Cox, Olivia Perry, Orlagh Honeyfield, Cassie Colbourne, Jason Williams (Coach)

 Tradition has it that when a crew wins a national title at the New Zealand rowing championships, the Clifton club flag is proudly hoisted in honour of its champion crew. 

Following on from last year's outstanding Club nationals, the small club on the flanks of the Waitara river have done it again. 

Recently on the beautiful Lake Ruataniwha in Twizel, Clifton crews navigated their way through the heats, repechages, and semi finals and secured twelve A-finals and two B-finals.  From the twelve A-finals our rowers amassed four national titles, two silver and two bronze medals.

Collectively, these results meant that the thirteen rowers and one enthusiastic coxswain placed 3rd overall for the best sculling club in New Zealand. 

To top off this outstanding regatta, every one of the thirteen club rowers and coxswain came away with a medal.  This feat is unprecedented in the club's long and storied history.

On the back of this hugely successful club season, three of Clifton's rowers have been selected to trial for the New Zealand Under 22 team. 

This success only happens due to the efforts of everyone in the club from the rowers, parent support and the commitment and passion from the coaching team. The rowers were reminded while at the National regatta that national titles are not easy to come by. 

Testament to this is the number of mostly old photos on the wall of previous national title winners.