Shannon Cox, left, and Madison Brooke are just two of Whangarei Rowing Club's rising rowers under the tutelage of Grant Clearwater. Photo / Steve McArthur
Shannon Cox, left, and Madison Brooke are just two of Whangarei Rowing Club's rising rowers under the tutelage of Grant Clearwater. Photo / Steve McArthur
Whangarei Rowing Club may not be the biggest group in the country but that hasn't stopped them emerging as a rising force on the national stage.
Northland rowers were amongst the strongest performers at the New Zealand Rowing Championships on Lake Karapiro, picking up a raft of medals and showing size doesn't necessarily matter.
Among the strongest performers were women's senior double sculls pairing Madison Brooke and Shannon Cox.
They backed up their performance from 2017, where they won the women's club doubles.
The combination has cultivated into an in-sync machine and they credit it to their similarity and off-boat chemistry.
"I think one of the main aspects that make Shannon and I perform well together is that we are both extremely strong-minded and determined as one another, so we both push each other to perform to our best ability," Brooke said.
"Maddie and I are close outside of rowing which helps us connect in the boat," added Cox.
"We have always found a good rhythm together, connecting at every part of the stroke. Communication in the boat is pretty important so we are working together at all times."
Cox also grabbed the bronze medal in the women's under-20 sculls, showing she has the potential to become a real force in New Zealand rowing.
Brooke and Cox were far from the only impressive performance at Nationals.
Linda Schoeneborn and Yvette Hendrikse claimed bronze in the women's novice double sculls after just one year on the boat.
Kendall Smith had a strong week at the competition, finishing fourth in the women's senior single sculls and fifth in the senior coxless pair oars (with Brooke).
Shannon Cox, left, and Madison Brooke with their senior double sculls gold medals from the New Zealand Rowing Championships. PHOTO/STEVE McARTHUR
Coach Grant Clearwater has been an integral part of Whangarei Rowing Club's recent success and paid tribute to all the performances at the National regatta, not just the medal winners.
He puts the rise of the club down to focused training and the challenges of training on the river.
"Because it's a small group, there is a lot more opportunity for one-on-one training. That means I get to spend plenty of time with them," he said.
"Training is tidal. If there isn't enough water, we have to do on land stuff like the erg and fitness training.
"The river can get a bit rough which tests the rowers but they gain a lot from preparing in tough conditions."
Brooke said Clearwater pushes them hard and has been the main reason for her strong form.
"I've been coached by Grant Clearwater for all three of my rowing seasons and he has had a very large influence upon not only my rowing career but my life in general," she said.
"He always knows how hard to push us and has very high expectations of us, and has always seen our potential ability even when we couldn't.
"He has been by our sides for our highs and lows, and knows us probably better than we know ourselves.
"His dedication to our trainings and rowing in general is our motivation to perform well as it's our way to thank him for all his time and effort he has put into us. All my success in this sport is because of him."
Brooke and Cox had different starts in the sport, starting three and six seasons ago respectively.
Brooke came from a competitive swimming background while Cox saw a notice in a school newsletter.
"At first it was just a hobby until I got my first medals three years into the sport at North Islands Secondary School Championships back in 2014," Cox said.
"It just became an addicting sport if you're a sucker for pain."
Both Brooke and Cox feel the tight-knit nature of Whangarei Rowing Club is what makes the club a great environment.
"Whangarei Rowing Club is a fairly small rowing club in comparison to other clubs, which makes everyone have a sense of identity within the club," Brooke said.
"Everyone is super encouraging and friendly, as everyone shares the same passion. And as we train so much together everyone there becomes your second family."
Cox agreed that despite being a small club, they "all support each other as much as we can".
"Only having three seniors and two very good novice rowers training with us has made this year enjoyable having a small group."
Brooke is now studying physiotherapy at AUT and is looking to make the New Zealand University rowing team while Cox has her sights on national honours in 2018.
"My next step is to trial out for the New Zealand under-21 team in early May.
"If I get into that I'll be competing in the Australia series and this year, we have the pleasure of Canada joining the series. I'll soon be joining the Southern Rowing Performance Centre."
Clearwater hopes the success of the current group of riders acts as a catalyst for new talent to surface and there's no reason to suggest it shouldn't.
After all, Whangarei is proving to be a surprising breeding ground of potential Olympians.
