Athletes came from far and wide this past weekend to compete within their tribe for medals and titles in the New Zealand Indoor Rowing Championship 2018.  The event was held at the Cambridge Avantidrome allowing the athletes a world class space to both draw and expel energy beyond levels that the average human ever goes. 

Rowing legend Eric Murray now founder and director of New Zealand Indoor Rowing Association along with Concept 2 Rowing New Zealand director Gary Reid have been playing with the idea of facilitating and branding the sport of Indoor Rowing in NZ through competition for sometime.  Saturdays outstanding success affirmed the dedication and desire these men have for the sport is widely shared through so many facets of the community and bringing them altogether as one tribe to compete and grow together supporting health, training, fun, friendships, team spirit and ones personal sense of achievement and belonging.  Crazy or simply dedicated to their passion for the sport of indoor rowing and its precise measure for optimal performance this event was open to all ages and abilities.

Photos: Steve McArthur @ Rowing Celebration 

Athletes ranged from NZ Rowing crew, avid gym and fitness enthusiasts, school rowing crews, active seniors, para athletes and novices. In total over two hundred competitors took part in twenty five different races, using 24 Concept2 Model D ergometers. The competition was fierce with several New Zealand national records set as well as a pending World Record. 

Photos: Steve McArthur @ Rowing Celebration

The biggest and loudest events for the day was clearly the relay racing.  Highly competitive yet so much fun with the the crowds support bellowing in the ears of the athletes until they could do no more but fall to the floor as their turned passed.  

We would like to extend a special thank you to the Avantidrome for allowing us to host the Concept2 Indoor Rowing Championship, to all of the volunteers who gave up their time to be apart of the event and to the sponsors who helped make this event happen- Thank you.

What excites us here at Concept2 is not only the incredibly high level of competition but also the room for potential growth of indoor rowing in NZ. In many ways this years event was a platform for us to learn and walk before we run so to speak with future events and challenges.  We welcome feedback from participants and spectators of the day to enhance both ours and your experience next year.  
Until then …. C2 your health, wealth and passion by rowing daily my friend so together we can be and feel great.
We look forward to seeing you all next year!

Photos: Steve McArthur @ Rowing Celebration