Water Sports: edging closer to the World Rowing Championships in
New Zealand
New Zealand is about to host its second World Rowing Championships, which will commence from the 31st of October to the 7th of November 2010. Lake Karapiro is getting ready to host and provide a challenging
environment for the world’s best rowing teams. Rowing teams from 50 different countries will participate in the competition as thousands of contesters are going to envelop New Zealand for these Championships. Rowing New Zealand has made all possible arrangements
to facilitate athletes, coaches, team officials, media personnel and spectators from all over the world.
Lake Karapiro was built on the Waikato River more than sixty years ago, and is now being selected for second time to host the World Rowing Championships. The lake is considered one of the best venues around because of its charisma
and attractiveness. Rowing New Zealand has already seen success with hosting the Championships at Lake Karapiro, as it did so in 1978.
Cambridge town, which is often referred to as the town of trees, is a short drive from the lake. The town is renowned for having produced many rowing champions. The stables of thoroughbred horses in Cambridge town are also famous
all around the world. Hamilton, the seventh largest city in New Zealand is also located on the banks of the Waikato River and contains many major roads and rail junctions. The Waikato region is also surrounded by other major urban population districts such
as Rotorua, Taupo and Waitomo; all of whom are ready to welcome the fans with their natural beauty, entertainment facilities and hostelling services.
New Zealand has announced its biggest ever rowing team for these World Championships. The Kiwi’s team contains a total of 55 athletes and 18 crews; all of whom will actively participate in different rowing competitions. New Zealand’s
rowing team is rich with big names like Mahe Drysdale, Peter Taylor and Duncan Grant; all of whom are greatly experienced in international rowing competitions along with talented world champs Juliette Haigh and Rebecca Scown. Large numbers of volunteers from
different parts of life are eager to make this event a show stopper. Volunteer Manager, Ruth Tuiraviravi was very excited in his interview and said that more than 750 volunteers had been registered, yet many more applications are pending. The management will
also assign considerable responsibility to the volunteers who will help in organizing this wonderful sport event. Tuiraviravi added that the applicants’ calibre and their passion for the championships is incredible.
Rowing New Zealand chairman Bill Falconer, while announcing the team, said that the public is expecting a lot from the NZ rowing team. He further stated that with the home advantage, extra pressure and expectations are thrust upon
the NZ team.
The key sponsor for the 2010 Rowing Championships, Don Rowlands, said the 1978 rowing event exhibited great team work and that the teams representing their nations have but only goal – to demonstrate their skills and work their
hardest. He also added that hosting the Championships is going to be a tough challenge for the management as sports events today require higher levels of professionalism, technology and services than they did in the past.
Don Rowlands further stated that he was happy with the size of the NZ team. He was quite confident about the NZ teams’ success. With October on the horizon, fans of rowing all around the world are as excited as they can be, while
the competitors lining up are as anxious as they can be.
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