“In rowing I found a sport that demanded some skill, granted, but placed a much higher premium on plain hard work and persistence.”

– Harry Parker

ABOUT

 

Rowers need to train for strength, endurance and speed. Excelling in all three areas requires dedication, effort and a range of different training methods. MAGS rowers train in a variety of locations and participate in:

  • Rowing/on-water training

  • Gym sessions involving weight training, circuits and ‘ergs’ (rowing machines)

  • Running

  • S&C - strength and conditioning sessions

Training commitment

Rowing is the ultimate team sport because it is impossible for a crew to train on water or race unless all members are present.

Our athletes are expected to work hard, persevere and to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to each other.  Consistently maintaining these qualities in all aspects of our training programme and daily operations has helped MAGSROW to develop a strong culture of success.

The training programme is intense and, although we appreciate it can be difficult at times for our rowers and their parents to juggle rowing with their other commitments, it is vital that everyone:

  • Always arrives before the stated time.

  • Provides coaches with advance notice of unavoidable lateness or absence.

  • Does their best in everything they do

  • Treats fitness as an all-day, every day commitment

  • Treats others as they would like to be treated themselves.

Important note: Rowers and coxswains – not parents – are held fully responsible for their attendance, punctuality and for always arriving prepared.

WHERE WE TRAIN

 

We train at the following locations in the greater Auckland area:

Mt Albert Grammar School Rowers Gym and School Gym: Weights and ergs.

West End Rowing Club (WERC): Rowing, weights, ergs, runs. The bulk of our training is done at WERC.

Self-paced training: Rowers are also encouraged to carry out additional strength and cardio activity, such as running, cycling or swimming, in addition to their formal rowing training.

Away camps: From time to time we also train at away locations during school holiday training camps, typically in and around Cambridge and Lake Karapiro.

TRAINING GEAR LISTS

 

Training sessions

- Shorts and t-shirt (or MAGS PE gear)
- Running shoes and socks
- Water bottle (plastic bottles for inside the boats)
- Towel, hat, sunblock
- Healthy snack
- If it is cold, thermals and sweatshirts
- Heart rate monitor

Rowing camps

- Spare set of training gear
- Light rain jacket
- Towel, hat, sunblock
- Training shoes
- Spare socks
- Water bottle
- 10 mm ring spanner

WEST END ROWING CLUB (WERC)

 

We do the majority of our on and off-water training at the West End Rowing Club (WERC), reflecting a tradition that harks back to the very beginning of rowing at Mt Albert Grammar in the 1930s. MAGSROW is one of several high schools that are affiliated to the West End Rowing Club and share the use of their facilities and equipment. The location of WERC and its facilities provide an important base for MAGSROW and, as a result, a significant proportion of the annual fees from our rowers and coxswains go towards our WERC fees.

The club was founded in 1884 and has a history of developing athletes who have gone on to represent New Zealand at the highest level, including Mahe Drysdale (Olympic gold in 2012 and bronze in 2008) and Juliette Haigh (Olympic bronze in 2012). Many MAGS old boys have gone on to row for WERC and we anticipate this relationship continuing for many years to come.

Our affiliation with WERC means we row in West End Rowing Club’s strip (black and white) at club regattas, and MAGS Row’s strip (light blue) at school regattas.

Click here for more information about WERC. 

The club is located at Saunders Reserve (accessed via 26 Saunders Place), Avondale.