'We declare it a success': Heavy rain no match for inaugural rowing spectacle

Heavy rain couldn’t put a dampener on the inaugural amalgamation of the Rigtec Billy Webb Challenge and Whanganui Roofing Bridge to Bridge Challenge rowing competitions.

Nearly 40 boats raced on the Whanganui River on November 7.

Event organiser Grader Howell said combining the annual events for the first time was successful.

“We were very pleased it went off without any real hitches - we declare it a success,” Howell said.

Ten athletes from the 2026 Rowing NZ Summer Performance Hub competed in the Billy Webb Challenge.

Howell said the athletes and coaches appreciated the opportunity to race on the Whanganui River.

He said having the races finish in front of the Union Boat Club pontoon made it exciting for spectators.

“Ideally, in the Bridge to Bridge, we’d have a couple more crews. It was unfortunate that we didn’t get some more from Wellington that had another regatta on the same day.”

Howell said Clayton Potts was a “standout” performer in the Billy Webb Trophy, crossing the line nearly 30 seconds before second-placed Ryan Gass.

“The masters singles was a very good race as well; Richard Brock got his name on that Masters Jug for the first time,” Howell said.

Brock, of Aramoho Whanganui Rowing Club (AWRC), finished with a time of 25m 31.22s.

Mackenzie Tuffin, of the Performance Hub, comfortably won the Philippa Baker-Hogan Trophy for open women single sculls.

The Mahe Drysdale Trophy for best Under-18 prognostic athlete was won by AWRC’s Joni Stohr.

The German beat fellow club member Nicky Maxim by about 10s.

“It was a very exciting race. The new young fella from Germany, he’s only been in New Zealand for about two weeks, turned out to be a bit of a powerhouse; it’s not often Nicky Maxim comes in second,” Howell said.

The 10km Bridge to Bridge Challenge was won by AWRC, which finished nearly a minute ahead of Union Boat Club.

The crew, coxed by Awatea Tutaki, was Dempsey Schicker, Sophia Su’a, Bailey Barnett, Myiah Dudson, Ruby Bullock, Caralie Hanna and Millie Richardson.

The Half Bridge to Bridge Challenge comprised 21 boats, spread across pairs, doubles, quads and fours.

The fastest boat was the AWRC quad of Ross Llaneta, Joseph Dudson, Jake Newton and Sam Knapton in 18m 51.66s.

The fastest double was Clifton Rowing Club’s Jack Hurley and Oliver Kohlhase, with 19m 52.74s.

Howell said the event organisers were keen to continue with the amalgamation next year.

“We had nothing but positive feedback from coaches and participants,” he said.

Fin Ocheduszko Brown is a multimedia journalist based in Whanganui.