How to Join West End
WERC Club Squad
Whether you’re working, going to uni, or both, we believe in a balance between personal life and training so there is flexibility whatever your situation may be. We offer a fun, competitive, and successful club program with a focus on NZ Nationals. MORE
Masters Squad
Keen ro return to the water as an active Masters rower or reconnect with your rowing community. Check our our masters squad MORE
Learn to Row - Novice program
Has rowing always been one of those sports you wanted to participate in but haven’t had the opportunity? Here is your chance to learn why rowers are mad for the sport! Have a go and see what you think without committing to a full season, and then if it’s for you there is an option to carry on as a novice club rower. MORE
GIVE IT A Row - Adult Learn to Row Course
Our new course for those interested in just trying something new and learning about rowing, the technique and equipment. This program is run every Sunday morning, for 5 weeks. Learn more HERE
The next 5 week course starts on the 26th July 2026, if you are interested in joining the next course please register your interest HERE
WERC Club Squad
For those with aspirations for the New Zealand Rowing Age Group or Elite crews or simply looking for high-level full-time training, International-class coaching and high-performance development from a world champion coach we will develop your rowing peak performance through our club head coach Sam Jackson.
This year WERC Club squad athletes earned 2 gold, 1 silver, and 4 bronze medals in senior/club grade events at the 2023 NZ Nationals and with your help we plan to improve that performance next year!
“I think the club has such a strong team culture which I felt as soon as I joined. Being a part of a driven, disciplined and motivated team made every success even greater. I’m proud to row for West End.”
Our official club squad season begins in September and runs through to NZ Nationals in late February. For those with High Performance aspirations, training and preparation will continue through until the NZ Rowing trials.
We attend several regattas throughout the main season including: The Erik Verdonk Memorial Regatta, Bennett Shield Regatta, KRI Club Regatta, KRI Memorial regatta, Christmas Regatta, North Island Club Championships, and the NZ National Championships. If a high enough standard is met, the club will consider extending the season for high achieving crews to attend overseas regattas as well (Henley Royal Regatta, Royal Canadian Henley, or Head of the Charles Regatta to name a few!).
Most sessions take place in our club house on the Whau River in Avondale, Auckland. Primary sessions will take place as a squad and secondary training will also be prescribed for those with flexibility to complete it. We have a modern facility including a massive pontoon, full gym, erg room, modern racing plant of international standard, and large changing rooms with hot showers.
We will have at least one extended training camp after New Years to kick- start the NZ Nationals campaign. When able, we may also have mini training camps throughout the year at our second clubhouse shed on the Waikato River at 36 Mercer Ferry Rd, Mercer.
We have a friendly club environment with a sense of community and a proud history dating back to 1884 that has included several members as NZ representatives and Olympians such as Mahé Drysdale and most recently Stephen Jones at Tokyo 2020, with Harry Fitzpatrick in the mens four and Erin James in Coastal rowing.
In 2023 five previous West End RC members competed in New Zealand U23 Crews at the World Rowing U23 World Championships. You could be the next NZ legend!
West End elites Harry Fitzpatrick, Stephen Jones, Lewis Hollows, and Jono Kumerich rowed with SPC before becoming West End club rowers. Mahe Drysdale started rowing at West End as a novice club rower while at university in Auckland.
Sound interesting?
Next steps contact Head Coach Sam Jackson with any questions or to express interest and receive more information; headcoach@werc.co.nz.
Memberships forms are in our Members Resources section.
WERC Masters Squad
West End Rowing Club's Masters squad welcomes rowers aged 27 and over who want to get back on the water. Based at Saunders Reserve in Avondale, with additional access to the club's Cox's Bay and Mercer facilities, WERC has been part of Auckland's rowing community since 1884 and is proud to offer one of the most established and welcoming Masters programmes in New Zealand. Our Masters members range from those chasing personal bests competing locally and overseas through to rowers who simply love being on the water with good company. Whatever your goals, there's a place for you in the squad. Our Masters Captain, Mike McMurray will help you find the right crew and training level to suit.
“We love holding onto our winning streak of 7 years undefeated in the
Women’s Open 8+ at North Island Legions regatta - but the cafe after row on Saturdays is as important as any other training session or race.”
For those with a competitive streak, WERC Masters crews take part in a full calendar of racing throughout the season, including Legion of Rowers regattas, the North Island and South Island Masters Championships, and NZ Masters Nationals, with our rowers regularly brining home medals. Many of our members also choose to represent the club further afield, travelling to compete at overseas regattas such as Head of The Charles, Henley Masters, Head of the Yarra, and World Masters events. If racing is your motivation, you'll find a squad culture that trains hard, travels together, and has fun celebrating every result as a club.
Not every Masters member is chasing a finish line, and that's very much part of the culture at West End. A part of our squad simply enjoys the routine of regular training sessions, the fitness and technique work on the water, and the camaraderie that comes from rowing with their crew week to week. Members join in club regattas closer to home, such as the Head of the Whau series, and take part in the social side of club life, from post-row coffees to end-of-season celebrations. Whether you row two mornings a week or five, there's a crew and a training group that will match your pace, your schedule, and your goals.
We also know that not everyone wants to be back on the water full-time, and we'd love to hear from former members and Masters rowers who simply want to reconnect with the club. Whether you're keen to come along to a social event, help out on regatta days, watch a race, or just catch up with old crewmates and see what's changed at the boathouse, you'll always be welcome at West End. Rowing careers ebb and flow, and many of our most valued club supporters are people who've stepped back from regular training but stayed connected to the WERC community. If that sounds like you, get in touch — there's no pressure to commit to a training programme, just an open door back into the club.
Sound interesting?
To find out more about joining the Masters squad, returning to rowing, or simply reconnecting with West End, contact our Masters Captain, Mike McMurray, or reach out to Club Captain Amy Robson at clubcaptain@WERC.co.nz.
Memberships forms are in our Members Resources section.
Learn to Row - For Novice ROWERS
What you will learn;
On land using rowing machines and stationary rowing shells to learn the basic rowing stroke
Water safety, details about your boat and oars
On the water sessions will be based around getting boats on and off the water. Focusing on the basics of rowing e.g. not tipping out, listening to the “coxs”, rowing in time, boat balance and making the boat move across the water as efficiently as possible without catching the infamous “crab” + more fun
At the end of this course you will have a good understanding of the principles of rowing and be able to decide if you want to become part of the West End novice squad for the summer season.
Participants; Must be 17-24 years of age, be able to swim 50m unassisted and be healthy enough to participate in moderate physical exercise.
Cost; The course costs $250 per person.
Must be paid in full and in advance to hold your position on the course.
Location; West End Rowing Club,
26 Saunders Place, Rosebank, Avondale
If you have more questions please email
Sam Jackson headcoach@werc.co.nz
To register please complete this form here
Give it a Row - Adult Learn to Row introduction
What you will learn;
On land using rowing machines and stationary rowing shells to learn the basic rowing stroke
Water safety, details about your boat and oars
On the water sessions will be based around getting boats on and off the water. Focusing on the basics of rowing e.g. not tipping out, listening to the “coxs”, rowing in time, boat balance and making the boat move across the water as efficiently as possible without catching the infamous “crab” + more fun
Participants; Any age but is designed for adult rowers or rower’s parents, be able to swim 50m unassisted and be healthy enough to participate in moderate physical exercise.
Cost; The course costs $250 per person.
Must be paid in full and in advance to hold your position on the course. This is a 5 session course.
Location; West End Rowing Club,
26 Saunders Place, Rosebank, Avondale
The next course runs from Sunday 26th July on the 5 consecutive Sundays from 8am to 10am.
To register please complete this form here
