Westlake Girls High School Rowing Alumni

It is with profound sadness that I share the passing of our Dad, Tony Lynch, peacefully on 22nd August 2026 aged 78.

Having followed his daughters Karen & Debbie into the sport, he became a popular coach, as well as a known figure around not only WGHS but the wider rowing community in the late 80's & early 90's.

Tony has a hand in setting at the time, a way to look a women's rowing especially in the construction of the boats, which he helped redefine, along with innovations like the Winged Keel and Rudder system, that is now seen on most modern day skiffs. His forefront in engineering took him into designing and manufacturing the first Carbon Fibre rigging to be used on WGHS boats. Tony also set up the maintenance program for the boats and helped build the "lean too" off the side of the WGHS Gym (now the Fitness Centre). There was many a Wednesday night, maintaining and chin wagging to be held with the other parent volunteers. Also along with Rob Wylie engineered the massive WGHS & WBHS rowing trailer that was seen at many regattas but also alongside the motorway at school.

Tony must also be remembered for the countless hour & hours of churning through videotapes that went into and making the wonderful end of year videos that we got to see at prizegiving and for hand crafting our minature oars that were part of awards.

But mostly he is known for his girls, that he had the utmost pleasure in coaching for almost a decade. You girls touched his heart is so many ways and he was always always proud of you all.

You will be miss you so very very much 💔💔💔 See less

Question: How many Westlake Girls have made NZ Juniors/U19s over the years?

Feel free to add the rower's names in the comments below so I can do a count. Thanks.

Congratulations to Alumni Sophie Egnot - Johnson on selection in the NZ World Cup Team in the Women's Double Scull.

Well deserved and we know how hard you have worked for this. Good luck in Bulgaria and Spain from WGHS Rowing.

https://www.facebook.com/share/1H6LGJcLqx/a

The 2026 Rowing New Zealand World Cup Team has been named. They will open their international season at the World Rowing Cup in Seville, Spain, before racing again in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

Kate Haines takes a closer look at the team and introduces the athletes.

Read more here: https://rowingnz.kiwi/experience-meets-emerging-talent-in-2026-world-cup-team/

Was at the Christmas Regatta in the weekend and stumbled upon this old beauty. Not sure who it belonged to, but it brought back memories!

The newest addition to the fleet…well overdue.

More congratulations to Maeve Lockett and Charlotte Mawston. Additional, congratulations to new Head Coach Jordan Stanley.

Congratulations to Maeve and Charlotte on their success in the USA as part of the u19 NZ Development Team.

It is with much sadness to announce the passing of Malcolm Shotter on 22nd June 2025 aged 83. Malcolm was an intergral part of the WGHS rowing in the mid 80's along with his wife Brenda. He held the position of Chairman, and helped organise the massive fundraising drives along with getting WGHS Rowing set up as an Incorporated Society. His daughter Janine not only rowed at WGHS but also coached as well. Our thoughts go out to his wider family at this time.

Congratulations to Maeve Lockett, Sacha Van Der Net and Charlotte Mawston on their nominations for the ARA Awards for 2025.

One simple conversation between two dads at a Westlake Girls rowing camp has opened up new possibilities for young athletes at Otahuhu College. 💛💙❤️🤍💚

This beautiful display of sportsmanship shows exactly what makes New Zealand's rowing community so special.

Read the full article here: https://bit.ly/4l1ODET