Rowing officials ready for the influx of spectators
Rowing officials are ready for the influx of spectators for the two finals days of the Aon Maadi Cup at Lake Ruataniwha tomorrow and on Saturday.
With Covid restrictions in place, spectators were not allowed in for the national championships on the same course a few weeks ago, and the start of the Maadi.
However, the Government announcement last week made changes to settings and that has opened up the regatta to spectators. Many have been parked up on a bank looking over the course, but outside the location, for the last couple of days.
A total of 1,800 tickets have been sold out of a maximum 4,000. Tickets were limited to three per rower. Rowing New Zealand general manager of community and development, Mark Weatherall, said sales had been particularly strong out of Christchurch.
He said of 102 schools represented, tickets have been sold to 70 from Whangarei to Invercargill but none had taken their full allocation.
There are two plans in place around the spectators.
They need to have their vaccine status checked, which can be done tonight in Twizel and in the morning, there will be two lanes set up – one for those who have completed checks (they have been allocated wristbands) and the other for those yet to complete their check.
Weatherall is anticipating two possible pinch points – people who turn up on either morning and want to buy a ticket; and those who have left their vaccination pass behind.
People cannot simply arrive and say they are wanting to pick up an allocation. Everyone getting a ticket must physically be present and attach their wrist pass under supervision.
‘’They can’t take the passes away and give them away.
‘’We must work within best endeavours to check vaccination passes. The reality is they won’t get a band until they show us their vaccine pass.’’
Weatherall praised the officials and volunteers at Lake Ruataniwha ‘’who have worked incredibly hard to get to this point.
‘’We have worked hard to allow an opportunity for spectators. People are saying ‘we haven’t seen our kids’ row for two years and we get that.
‘’It’s been a huge amount of work to pull it off. I’m not sure spectators appreciate that. We must manage young rowers.’’
There have been 24 Covid cases spread between about 10 schools.
‘’I’m super impressed with how the schools are managing it.
‘’The priority is getting through to the last race and we won’t apologise for that.’’