About

Located on the Wairoa River, Bay Coast Rowing Club is all about sharing the love for rowing and creating a supportive community. We blend our drive for excellence with a focus on teamwork and personal growth, making sure everyone feels welcome and included.

Our club has rowers of all ages and skill levels, from local high school students to young adults and seasoned 'masters'. We enjoy beautiful scenery on the freshwater of the Wairoa River where we row all year round.

Rowing at Bay Coast is about more than just fitness and success. It’s about joining a community that supports each other’s growth, celebrates every achievement, and shares a deep love for the sport. Through dedication and hard work, our rowers don’t just achieve personal excellence – they also build lasting friendships and a strong sense of belonging.

Supported by experienced coaches, great boats and equipment, we welcome anyone from Year 8 upwards who wants to give this great sport a go.

CLUB HISTORY

A new club on the Wairoa

Until 1992, opportunities for rowing in Tauranga were limited to the waters of the Harbour. There was a demand for people to row competitively, recreationally and socially away from the harbour waters, where rowing was mainly restricted to morning training. Aware of this demand, along with a passion for rowing, four dedicated individuals decided to set up a new, independent club.

The club started on the Wairoa River in October 1992, with limited resources and funded solely by the founding members, Ted Phelps, Albie and Lorraine Sands, Geoff and Peggy Towne and Aat and Magda van Dijk.

These members combined to purchase the initial equipment, which was later increased by the donation of two four-oared boats. This equipment comprised one four-oared boat with oars, an eight-oared boat, a coaching dingy and a rowing training machine. In 1993, a new eight-oared boat was bought with combined funding from members’ fundraising, and a grant from the Hillary Commission.

The boat shed

1994 saw phenomenal growth in both club membership and resources. Community support was shown through significant grants obtained from Trust Bank Bay of Plenty, the Lottery Grants Board and by funds raised by members. This enabled the building of a large boat shed on land leased by the club adjacent to the Wairoa River. The shed made the club totally self-sufficient in housing all its boats and training equipment. 1994 also purchased a double scull and coxswains equipment funded by members.

In 1999 the Club purchased the land and at the same time, the boat shed was extended to double its size. This venture was funded by debentures from committee members, a grant from the Lottery Grants Board and many hours of volunteer labour.

The pontoon project

In 2024, the club achieved another milestone with the completion of a long-awaited pontoon on the Wairoa River. This project, which began as a vision in 2016, became a reality thanks to the combined efforts of our members and the generous support of the community. The new pontoon not only enhances access to the water but also stands as a testament to our club's enduring spirit of collaboration and perseverance. Read more about the pontoon project.

Fostering a love of rowing

Membership levels have remained constant at around 60-70 over the years. A renewed interest in rowing is reflected in the number of new school and recreational rowers who have joined the club over the past years. In the Club’s short history, there have been quite a number of NZ representatives in the younger age groups. The club now has a broad cross-section of members ranging from the competitively focused school and club rowers, through the recreational rowers of all age groups, to the master rowers who enjoy combining fitness training with competitive activities.