World Rowing Championships, Lake Karapiro
31 October - 7 November, 2010
Rowing’s international elite have gathered on the waters of Lake Karapiro - in New Zealand’s Waikato region - to compete for honours at the 2010 World Rowing Championships.
With 50 countries competing, the 2010 World Rowing Championships have become the biggest international sport event in New Zealand since the 1990 Commonwealth Games.
It’s the second time that Lake Karapiro - considered one of the most scenic and admired courses in the world - has hosted the international event and, if record volunteer numbers, the biggest-ever Kiwi team, and enthusiastic home support are indicators, the 2010 championships will offer a memorable event.
The legacy of the 1978 Rowing World Championships continues to benefit New Zealand rowing today and the spectacle, when tens of thousands of Kiwis came out to cheer on the athletes, is still considered one of New Zealand sport’s greatest moments.
For 2010 New Zealand has planned a unique event that began with a spectacular opening ceremony (30.10.2010) combining a formal Māori powhiri / welcome and a party atmosphere celebrating the history of the oldest Olympic sport.
After eight days of intense international competition, colourful festivities and enthusiastic home-crowds, New Zealand rowing officials and Hamilton Waikato locals are the toast of the international rowing fraternity.
International visitors at the World Rowing Championships have been treated to some unique action on New Zealand's Lake Karapiro - from an historic fleet of Māori waka at the opening ceremony to fierce challenge in the first days of competition.
New Zealand has a proud record in international rowing and for a country of four million-plus people has produced a disproportional number of world champions and Olympic medalists.
Visitors at the 2010 World Rowing Championships will get an authentic taste of one of New Zealand’s most significant Māori cultural and historic regions – all without leaving Lake Karapiro’s shores.
Rowing champions will take more than memories home from the 2010 World Rowing Championships in New Zealand – each gold medallist will receive a treasured pounamu taonga / treasure as a gift from local Māori.
In a few weeks time the small rural town of Cambridge – a wealthy English look-alike village, hub of the New Zealand equine industry and home to the national rowing team – will welcome tens of thousands of visitors for the 2010 World Rowing Championships.
With 50 countries confirmed to compete, the 2010 World Rowing Championships at Karapiro in the North Island will be the biggest international sport event in New Zealand since the 1990 Commonwealth Games.
Record volunteer numbers, the biggest-ever Kiwi team and the promise of support from a huge home crowd suggest New Zealand’s second hosting of the World Rowing Championships will be another memorable event.
Organisers of the 2010 World Rowing Championships to be held at Lake Karapiro – in New Zealand’s Waikato region – have used legendary Kiwi ingenuity to develop a novel tool to promote the event internationally.
