To round off the rowing season for 2025, we competed at the Maadi Regatta last month, New Zealand’s Secondary School Rowing Championships, a pinnacle event for young rowers nationwide. The week tested everyone physically and mentally, with long days at the course, rapidly changing weather, and fierce competition from the best school crews in the country. Every girl in the squad showed perseverance in every race, with close finishes, improvements, and intense races. Across the six days of racing, SHGC secured two A finals and four B finals.
Rowing at SHGC isn’t just a sport; it’s a journey. It’s learning to push through the hard moments, finding strength in teamwork and celebrating small wins along the way. For me and I know many of our girls, rowing becomes a second home, a place of laughter, growth, and friendship. This sport has taught me so much and shaped me to be who I am today. I was recently selected for a 2025 U19 New Zealand trial and Lily Ashton has been selected for a 2025 U18 North Island trial.
This season marked the final one for Lily and me. We met through rowing and over the seasons, formed a bond built on shared early mornings, tough sessions, race day nerves, and many laughs throughout the season. We leave SHGC rowing with more than just medals but also memories that will last a lifetime.
If you’ve ever watched a rowing race or just heard about the sport and considered joining, our Learn to Row Programme is the perfect place to start; keep an eye out for more information about this later in the year. You don’t need any experience, give it a go! Rowing is a fun way to stay fit, make friends, and be part of something special. Signing up to try out this sport has been one of my best decisions!
If you’d like to know more about Rowing at Sacred Heart, please email: shgchamiltonrowing@gmail.com
Georgia Kendrick, Year 13