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In today's world where clubs have to think outside the square, show diversity and community involvement to attract funders and community engagement, Queen Charlotte Yacht Club hosted the 2018 South Island masters rowing championships over Queens Birthday weekend.
More than 250 rowers from as far afield as the North Shore and Riverton converged on Picton for the two-day event.
The club recently hosted both the Interislander Regatta and Optimist national championships, two of the busiest regattas on the calendar, but club commodore Richard Gifford said hosting that many rowers and all of their equipment on Shelley Beach was a big step up.
The competitors ranged in age from 27 to 77 and many fed back that they thoroughly enjoyed the food, wine and hospitality on offer together with the venue provided by the Queen Charlotte Yacht Club.
The South Island masters rowing championships shifts around the South Island and competitors said they were looking forward to returning to Picton and the Queen Charlotte Yacht Club in the coming years.
