Photos by Conrad Blind

From March 12 to 14, Westlake Girls High School competed against almost 2,000 students from 100 schools at the North Island Secondary Schools Rowing Championships held at Lake Karapiro.

Westlake produce a stunning finals day performance. For the first time in more 20 years we medalled in each of the Premier Girls sweeping events – the U18 pair, four and eight. We finished the day with eight top 8 finishes including five podium finishes. Overall, we had 23 medallists, 16 of whom were first time medallists.

The squad’s performance in the under 18 sweep events, the premier events on the girls racing programme was a highlight of the regatta. For the first time in more than 20 years we managed to earn a Gold medal in the Girls U18 2 (our first title in this event since 2013), a Silver medal in the Girls U18 8+ and a Bronze medal in the Girls U18 4+ (our first medal in each of these events since 2014). Our junior squad also managed to deliver excellent results securing Westlake Girls Bronze medals in both the Girls U15 8+ and Girls U16 8+.

The squad’s focus now turn to Maadi Cup being held at Lake Ruataniwha from the 29 March to 2 April.

Pictured top are Scarlett Kerse and Sofia Greenhalgh (Gold in the Girls U18 2). 

Below are Tessa Guthrie, Scarlett Kerse, Eva Dykgraaf, Sophie Dykgraaf, Sofia Greenhagh, Phoebe Dobson, Caitlin Naude, Taylor Penberthy, Steph Severin (Silver in the Girls U18 8+)