Maadi Memories
There is no doubt that the Aon Maadi Regatta is the biggest rowing regatta on New Zealand soil. Google even states that it is the biggest secondary sporting event in the Southern Hemisphere! And while it is large in number, it also hits big in the hearts of both past and present high school rowers.
What is it that makes someone so quick to say, “I rowed at Maadi when I was at high school!” Is it the feeling of being part of a team, the hard work that was put in to get there, the lifelong friends that they made, or the memories of racing at such a big and prestigious event? We caught up with some of the 2023 Rowing NZ Women’s Squad about their time rowing at school and their core memories made at the Aon Maadi Regatta.
Lucy Spoors:
Lucy has been in the New Zealand Rowing team since she made the 2007 Junior women’s quad. Since then, Lucy has won multiple age group and senior World Rowing medals, became a World Champion in 2019, and won a silver medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the women’s 8+. Lucy’s life has now become slightly more exciting with the arrival of her son, Rupert Robertson. Lucy is now training as part of the Rowing NZ Elite Women’s Sculling Squad.
Where and when was your first Maadi? And what made it so memorable?
My first Maadi was at Karāpiro in 2005. I had been to plenty of sports tournaments before, but the scale of Maadi blew me away – all the decorated tents on the bank, and all the taped-up vans driving through town.
We have a common saying - get comfortable being uncomfortable. Did you have any surprises or did anything not go quite to plan during your Maadi years?
I wasn’t prepared for how nervous I would feel before my U17 eights final: I felt paralysed and sick for the whole morning. To this day, I think I have never been as nervous as that. Also, stopping before the line in my U17 single was very embarrassing for me.
What advice do you wish was given to
you before Maadi?
Don’t stop before the line! Race starts don’t have to be prefect and wear more
sunblock.
Everyone has a favourite venue and usually it has nothing to do with the course! Lake Karāpiro or Twizel, and why?
Twizel. I will always say that. It is like a second home.
Emma Twigg:
Emma first represented New Zealand in 2007 in the under 23 single at the 2007 Under 23 World Rowing Championships where she won gold. Since then, Emma has been the dominant force in the women’s single field winning multiple World Championship medals and titles, and an Olympic Gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. Emma has just been named in the women’s single for the 2023 World Rowing Cup 3 and 2023 World Rowing Championships.
Where and when was your first Maadi? And what made it so memorable?
I have great memories of my first Maadi in a double scull with one of my best friends, Carina, in Twizel. We travelled by bus from Christchurch airport with all the other Hawke’s Bay schools, and had a photo taken in our row suits on the rocks at Lake Tekapo. We raced a double scull and were fourth in the B final which we thought was awesome.
What advice do you wish was given to you before Maadi?
That this regatta was going to be the first of many regattas in my career and the results would never determine my success later. Enjoy it and create memories!
Everyone has a favourite venue and usually it has nothing to do with the course! Lake Karāpiro or Twizel, and why?
Twizel. The most beautiful place to row, and of all of the places I have rowed in the world it is still in my top three. Stunning!
Stella Clayton-Greene:
Stella began rowing in 2014 and has been a part of New Zealand Junior and Under 23 teams ever since. In 2022 Stella was a member of the New Zealand women’s quad that raced at World Cup 2, World Cup 3, Henley Royal Regatta, and the 2022 World Rowing Championships. In 2023 Stella has made the switch to sweep rowing and has been named in the New Zealand women’s sweep squad.
Where and when was your first Maadi? And what made it so memorable?
My first Maadi was in Twizel in 2014. What I loved about it was how exciting and fun it was to travel as a school. I remember thinking the lake looked like a swimming pool – I couldn’t believe how blue it was, especially compared to where I trained on the Piako River, which is home of the ‘Muddi Cup’ (aptly named for the colour of its water!)
We have a common saying - get comfortable being uncomfortable. Did you have any surprises, or did anything not go quite to plan during your Maadi years?
Yes! I fell into the freezing waters of Lake Ruataniwha before the quarter finals of my U15 double while sitting at the catch in preparation for a race start. I remember three other crews rowing over to help us, and also being extremely worried that I was about to lose my socks! But after what felt like forever we managed to get back in the boat, with two socks still intact, and race through mild hypothermia to get a spot in the semi-final, which felt pretty great. We were still shivering at the end.
What advice do you wish was given to you before Maadi?
Enjoy the moment and have fun – it is a pretty spectacular event, so soak it up and learn as much as you can from every bit of upset or success. This will help your development as a great athlete and human.
Everyone has a favourite venue and usually it has nothing to do with the course! Lake Karāpiro or Twizel, and why?
Ifeel bad saying this as a northerner, but Twizel – you just can’t beat the scenery there. As well, people can cheer you on from the 1000m mark to the finish, which is great for morale!
Rachael Kennedy:
Rachael started rowing in 2005 and it is the love of the sport that has seen her end up in the New Zealand team. After years of rowing for fun with friends, Rachael was named in the 2022 lightweight double that competed at World Cup 3, Henley Royal Regatta and the 2022 World Rowing Championships. This year Rachael has been named in the Rowing NZ Women’s Sculling Squad.
Where and when was your first Maadi? And what made it so memorable?
My first Maadi was in 2005 at Lake Karāpiro. It was so exciting to travel from Christchurch up North and I couldn't get over how big and green Lake Karāpiro was. A memory that is still clear as day is flipping my under 15 double on the way to the start line of my first ever race at my first ever Maadi! We set up for a practice race start, started to fall tostroke side, and next thing I see is my stroke seat, Holly, launching herself into the water and soon we were both in the drink!
We have a common saying - get comfortable being uncomfortable. Did you have any surprises or did anything not go quite to plan during your Maadi years?
In my second season of rowing, we had a pretty decent under 16 quad that had done well at regattas leading up to Maadi. Once we were there racing, we missed out on the A final by the skin of our teeth and we were crushed! As it turns out, it wasn't the end of the world, and we had an awesome race in the B final.
What advice do you wish was given to you before Maadi?
It sounds so simple but make sure to have fun! Enjoy being part of something so big. Don't be scared of the nerves (it means you care and are excited!). And make friends with the people you are racing against - you will go through your entire school rowing career with some of them.
Everyone has a favourite venue and usually it has nothing to do with the course! Lake Karāpiro or Twizel, and why?
Lake Ruataniwha! Have you seen the blue water and mountains? Where else would you rather be?!