HISTORY OF SCHOOL ROWING In 1885 Wanganui Collegiate School was the first school to row in New Zealand.
1889
First inter-school rowing boats were four-oared fixed-seat clinker in-rigger practice boats and the distance was 1 mile at the Wellington Regatta in 1889.
School rowing started in the south 120 years ago - Christchurch Boys' High School in 1897, then at Waitaki Boys' High School in 1907.
1897
1936
Christ's College started rowing. The first Heats and Finals were held at a quadrangular tournament on the Avon River.
School rowing began in Auckland with Mt Albert Grammar and Sacred Heart. Progress was rapid and soon they were racing in a four-oared event the following year.
1965 Girls began rowing in the 1970's and a four-oar race over 1000m was included in the programme and there were six entries.
2000 Regatta cancelled due to COVID-19.
2021 6
1885
1913 At the championship regatta racing was now held over 2000m, heats were also run and the boy's four-oar race was for the first time included in the regatta programme.
1973 The regatta had just 846 competitors, and due to weather issues on the very last day racing fell behind and the eights were held after 6pm with darkness almost falling.
2020 There are now 2,623 competitors from 122 schools that attend the Aon Maadi Cup, for six full days of racing.
