“During the July school holidays, I had the incredible opportunity to represent New Zealand at the 2026 International Rowing Challenge on Ford Lake in Michigan, USA. The International Rowing Challenge brings together Under 19 representative teams from New Zealand, the United States, Canada, Mexico, Australia, and South Australia, giving athletes the opportunity to compete internationally while building connections with rowers from different countries.

After a week long camp based in Karapiro, it was exciting to wear the silver fern and race against talented Under 19 athletes from across the world. One of the biggest challenges was the weather, with temperatures over 30°C most days which was a huge contrast to the middle of a New Zealand winter!

I raced in three boat classes: the girls’ coxed four, boys’ coxed four, and mixed eight. The first two days of competition consisted of time trials before progressing to finals on the last day. The boys’ coxed four finished fourth in the A Final, the girls’ coxed four won gold, and the mixed eight, the pinnacle event of the regatta, earned a silver medal. Overall, the New Zealand team placed third.

Outside of racing, we had the opportunity to explore the University of Michigan campus, visit the rowing facilities, and experience American culture. I am incredibly grateful to my coaches, teammates, family, and everyone who supported me throughout the season. Their encouragement made this opportunity possible, and I look forward to taking everything I learned in Michigan into the next stage of my rowing journey.”

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