Rowing: Eight will head to Bled

Eight new Zealand rowers will contest three world cup events in Europe this season rather than the traditional two.

Single scullers Mahe Drysdale and Emma Twigg, men's pair Eric Murray and Hamish Bond and the women's quadruple sculls team of Paula Twining, Louise Trappitt, Emma Feathery and Harriet Austin head to Lake Bled in Slovenia on May 21 for a regatta starting the following week.

Each of those crews is working under Rowing New Zealand head coach Dick Tonks.

The advance party will enable RNZ to get a gauge on accommodation, course organisation and transport logistics for next year's world championships.

Contrary to its gruesome sounding name, Bled is a region of 'chocolate box' beauty.

The lake even has its own church perched on an island in the middle.

The full New Zealand squad links up in Munich mid-June and Lucerne early July for the remainder of the international programme. That is interspersed with a cameo appearance at Britain's Henley Royal Regatta.