Rowers head for open water | Canterbury Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Canterbury

Open water rowing could be Canterbury's next sport for the adventurous.

Former rowing champions David Lindstrom and Dale Maher are both promoting it and hope to get clubs started at Kairaki and on the estuary.

Even in "straight rowing" circles there was a big demand for more recreational-type rowing, said Lindstrom, who rowed at the 1972 and 1976 Olympic Games.

"It's just a seed at present ? but it should take off," he said.

Lindstrom coaches St Bede's rowers and competes in masters rowing, and hopes to go to the world masters in Edmonton in July after winning silver and bronze medals at the last games in Ballarat two years ago.

Lindstrom and Maher have tested a 5.8m pulling boat designed and built by Elder Boatbuilders on the estuary and Sumner Bay, and on the Waimakariri River and outside the river bar.

"It's sturdy and very fast," Lindstrom said. "You get a good 10m per stroke if you get it right."

Although weighing only 100kg, the modern pulling boat resembled boats used at the old Fitzgerald Ave rowing clubs in the early days, Lindstrom pointed out.

"I love it," he said. "You can go out for a couple of hours and have a good workout, and out in the sea it is more challenging."

Christchurch's traditional rowing home at Kerrs Reach has been increasingly burdened because of the number of people now rowing, and some experienced oarsmen like Lindstrom feel open water rowing offers a new challenge.

They hope the Christchurch Yacht Club at Redcliffs and the Waimakariri Sailing and Power Boat Club may be interested in fostering open water rowing.