Rowing is one of the oldest Olympic sports with many references to renowned oarsmen recorded throughout history as far back as 1430 BC. The first known rowing races began on the River Thames in London when the professional waterman providing the ferry and taxi service would compete.
Amateur racing in England began in the latter part of the 18thcentury. The University of Oxford commenced races in 1818 and the University of Cambridge first recorded races in 1827. The Boat Race – as it became known – between Oxford University and Cambridge University first took place two years later in 1829 making it the second intercollegiate sporting event in England. In response to the growing interest in the Boat Race, the town of Henley began hosting an annual regatta in 1839.
The Gallagher Great Race here on the Waikato River in Hamilton New Zealand has strong links to both English universities. In its current format, the Gallagher Great Race was the creation of British politician Bryan Gould – after whom the Women’s crew cup is named. Bryan Gould, a former vice-chancellor of the University of Waikato and a graduate of the University of Oxford, played a major role in developing the Gallagher Great Race festival. Winners of the Gallagher Great Race are awarded the Harry Mahon trophy. Henry Mahon OBE was a New Zealander who was a highly respected rowing coach for the Cambridge rowing team and the Olympic British rowing eight. He led many crews victory at World Championships and Olympic Games.
What type of race is the Gallagher Great Race?
There many different rowing competitions throughout the world. Competitions include time trials, endurance races, stake racing, bumps racing and side-by-side racing. There are two forms of racing: sweep-oar rowing where each rower has one oar done in pairs, fours and eights, and sculling where each rower has two oars done in quads, doubles or singles, usually without a coxswain.
The Gallagher Great Race is a sweep-oar rowing race with a crew of eight and a coxswain. To maximise propulsion forward, crew members must be in precise synchrony with each other – arriving at the catch and immediately applying pressure on the oar at the exact same moment.
Process of the powhiri
A pōwhiri is the formal welcoming of the International crews competing in this years Gallagher Great Race. The process of the pōwhiri is to be held at the University of Waikato marae, Te Kohinga Mārama. It is taking place on Monday the 5th of September at 11am.
The pōwhiri is a seven step process, starting with a Karanga (calls of welcome). The Karanga has several functions that include permitting the manuwhiri (visitors) to move onto the marae and declaring the area of the marae to be tapu (sacred) until formalities are concluded. The process is finished with a Hākari (feast). This final stage is the stage where the tapu (sacredness) of the formal welcome is removed by the sharing of kai (food). The hosts and the manuwhiri visitors are now one.
If you wish to find out more detail about the entire process of the pōwhiri, then follow the link below.
