Rower to make debut for New Zealand

In just three years of competing, exceptional rower Nathan Strachan has powered his way to the head of fields, earning a coveted national title and debut New Zealand team selection.

The year 13 Macleans College student has just completed an outstanding domestic rowing season in which he was unbeaten in all his competition under-18 single sculls finals.

It culminated in victory at the prestigious Maadi Cup held at Lake Karapiro near Cambridge in March, the NZ secondary schools rowing regatta, one of the largest school sports events in the Southern Hemisphere.

“Nathan has worked incredibly hard this past year, showing remarkable discipline and determination,” says Allan Vester, head coach of Macleans College’s rowing programme.

Heading into the Maadi Cup regatta, Strachan says he believed he could achieve a great result but wasn’t taking anything for granted, maintaining total focus in rowing his way to victories in the heats and finals.

“I was quietly confident. I knew if I held my nerve I could do well.”

It’s the second year in a row that Macleans College has claimed the national young men’s single sculls title, with Strachan following his former schoolmate James Dimock’s triumph in 2024.

“The only time a school has done that [in consecutive years] was when Joseph Sullivan did it years ago [2004, 2005] for Queen Charlotte College,” Vester says.

Strachan is now preparing to make his rowing debut for NZ, at the under-19 world championships at Trakai in Lithuania, on August 6-10.

As well as rowing in the single sculls, he’s also teaming up with Harry Lightfoot of Wakatipu High School in the double sculls.

“I’m nervous but very excited,” Strachan says, ahead of his first international rowing mission.

“It’s quite hard to comprehend. I’ve been rowing against the best New Zealanders, and now I’ll be lining up against the best rowers from every country.”

Strachan, who was born in England and came to this country with his family when aged eight, pays tribute to his coaches of the past three years at Macleans College, Vester and Martin O’Brien.

“Without either of them, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Allan was the coach who instilled the love of rowing in me.”

He leaves next week for an intensive six-week training programme at NZ Rowing’s base at Lake Karapiro in the lead-up to the under-19 world champs.

He’s going to be busy on and off the water over these next two months, as Strachan says he’s studying for Cambridge exams that are held two weeks after his return from Lithuania.

Vester says the trip to the Northern Hemisphere is expensive and Strachan welcomes any financial assistance.

“Participation in the international campaign is athlete-funded, with an estimated cost of $20,000 for the 10-week Karapiro to Lithuania campaign.

“To help make this dream a reality, Nathan’s supporters have launched a fundraising effort through Givealittle.

“Every contribution, no matter the size, helps Nathan take another stroke toward international success,” Vester says.

To donate to Strachan’s under-19 world championships rowing campaign, go to https://givealittle.co.nz/cause/help-nathan-get-to-u19-rowing-world-champs.

Sullivan is a former NZ representative rower, Olympic gold medallist, and member of Team New Zealand.

Strachan says Sullivan and Nathan Cohen, who won the “impossible” double sculls gold medal at the 2012 London Olympics, are two of his major influences for their work ethic and achievements, along with Kiwi single sculler Robbie Manson, still holder of the world record best time for the event.

One of the reasons why those rowers have left a stronger impression on Strachan is, because like him, they aren’t overly tall men but used their strength and undoubted strong technique and attitude to gain their successes.