Making waves at the Henley Royal Regatta

Making waves at the Henley Royal Regatta

Three St Margaret’s College alumnae have just returned from the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta, where they proudly represented Avon Rowing Club. Ashlee Tacon took the helm as coxswain for the men’s eight, Jemma Burrowes powered the women’s eight from the stroke seat, and Saskia Klinkenberg joined the team as travelling reserve.

Ashlee shared with us her experience at Henley, highlighting the unique challenges of racing on the international stage. 

“Rowing at Henley was an incredible experience, and very different to what I have been used to in New Zealand. The thrill of river racing and competing against international crews in one-on-one racing was unmatched. We had to quickly adapt to the currents and winds, and having UK Olympic gold medalist rower Will Satch as our coach while we were in the UK really helped us to get up to speed. His deep understanding of both UK and New Zealand rowing styles was impeccable,” Ashlee said.

She also noted the distinctive atmosphere of Henley, where the regatta’s tradition and formality were on full display, with spectators dressed in their finest attire.

Both the women’s and men’s teams reached the quarter finals, facing off against UK-based crews composed of top rowers from around the globe. Beyond the intense competition, the team enjoyed a few days of sightseeing around London before heading back to New Zealand to gear up for the upcoming season.

Ashlee hopes to cox for Avon again this season, aiming for the 2025 Nationals Premier Eight, and she is eager to get back in the boat with the women’s team, having previously coxed the girls’ eights at St Margaret’s.

“Avon is an incredible club and it’s continuing to grow. We’re seeing a surge in interest from girls wanting to join this season. It’s fantastic to see such strong representation from St Margaret’s in recent years,” Ashlee remarked.

Back home, Ashlee is continuing her studies in medical imaging at Ara Institute, having recently completed a ten-week placement at Christchurch Hospital. Reflecting on her time at St Margaret’s, she said, “The rowing program and my education there really prepared me for further study. I was supported to develop leadership skills, form lasting friendships, and communicate effectively—a skill that was particularly valuable during my hospital placement.”

Amid her busy schedule of studies and training, Ashlee will be watching the Olympics, looking forward to watching the New Zealand rowing team shine on the international stage.