St Stithians College Rowing

21/05/2026

St Stithians College Alumni flying the 🇿🇦🇿🇦flag high in the 🇺🇸🇺🇸 🤩🤩
Good luck for NCAA ladies. We will be cheering loudly 🥳🥳
Row SA The Bowside Rowing Magazine St Stithians College Rowing

18/05/2026

15/05/2026

Champions in the Making: Saints Rowers Earn National Colours

May 14, 2026 | Girls’ College |
Author: Kate Christowitz (Director of Rowing)

We are absolutely thrilled to share that Ntsako Shipalana (Grade 12) and Kenya Simpson (Grade 12) have been selected to represent South Africa at the World Rowing Under 19 Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, this August. Ntsako will race in the JW2X double scull alongside her partner from The Diocesan School for Girls, and Kenya has earned her seat in the JW4X quad alongside crewmates from St Andrew's School for Girls and St Mary's, Waverley. What a group of young women representing the best of South African schoolgirl rowing.

For those who have followed their journey, this achievement represents a significant milestone. Ntsako and Kenya have been part of the Saints rowing programme since Grade 7, demonstrating dedication and perseverance throughout. They were selected for the U16 SASRU tour in 2023, gaining valuable international experience in the UK. In the following year, they delivered a strong school season and progressed through the full provincial and national selection process, narrowly missing final selection. Such moments can be challenging, particularly when goals are so close, yet both athletes showed remarkable resilience. Through continued commitment and renewed focus, Ntsako and Kenya have now earned national selection — a well-deserved recognition of their growth and determination.

It is important to mention coach Bakang Zondi, our new 1st Team coach, who was integral in helping them rediscover their love of performance through that difficult period. It takes a special kind of coach to guide athletes through the lows, whilst still performing at the required levels.

What makes us equally proud is who they are outside the water. Last year, while training at this level, Ntsako achieved Academic Half Colours, and Kenya was awarded Academic Honours. People often say rowing takes up too much time, but our experience is the opposite. The discipline and focus this sport builds is exactly why our athletes can thrive across all areas of school life.

And, finally, behind every athlete who makes it to this level, there is a family that made it possible. The early morning drives to the water, the weekends given over to regattas, the quiet encouragement on the hard days, and the belief held steady when it wavered, none of this happens without parents who are fully invested alongside their daughters. To the Shipalana and Simpson families: this selection belongs to you, too. Thank you for trusting us with your girls and for creating the kind of home environment where young athletes can dare to dream big and do the work to get there.

This is what Saints Rowing is about. We back the whole athlete, and these two have shown what that looks like in practice. We cannot wait to watch race in Bulgaria.

We share their journey over the years through photographs.

12/05/2026

St Stithians Rowing has various coaching positions available!

Application links for coaching at the Boys College or Girls College are in our Bio 🚣🏻‍♀️📢

07/05/2026

🏆 Girls’ College Provincial Representation 🏆

Ntsako Shipalana and Kenya Simpson were selected into the Junior High Performance Squad in early March. This selection earned them their 3rd consecutive provincial colours.

After many weeks of training camps and trials, Ntsako was selected into the double scull (2x) and Kenya into the coxless quad (4x) with teammates from various schools. During the April holidays, they competed at Senior Gauteng and South African Championships where they won their respective events. Those performances earned them an invite to the National Selection Regatta on 7 and 8 May where all junior, u23 and senior athlete,who hope to compete for South Africa, will race.

We are beyond proud of their achievements thus far and wish them the best of luck this weekend! May the Saints spirit send you down that course with pride and grit! ❤️🤍💙

29/04/2026

❤️🤍💙 Old Boy News ❤️🤍💙

Myles Laburn is heading to the Holland Becker Regatta and The Royal Henley Regatta in July this year!! He is currently based in Australia studying at Victoria University and rowing for Merchiston Rowing Club. This is a main feeder club for the Australian National team which Myles is trialing for.

The selection to this crew is testament to Myles’ incredible capacity for hard work. A previous Saints Rowing captain, SA Champs 1st 8+ gold medalist, and Junior World Bronze Medalist, Myles continues to bring pride to the Saints badge.

In support of his efforts and selection we would like to share his Back-a-buddy for financial support of this tour. https://www.backabuddy.co.za/campaign/sending-myles-to-royal-henley-regatta. Link in bio.

25/03/2026

2025/2026 End of Season Rowing Dinner

A night where our boys' and girls' families unite to celebrate our talented athletes. We shared cheers, laughter, and tears as we bid farewell to an incredible season and our matrics. Thank you, One and All, for your dedication to our passion for a sport that demands so much from everyone involved.

❤️🤍💙

16/03/2026

One week on and we’re still celebrating the incredible effort of every Saints rower, coach, and parent!

Every result is because of each individual coming together as the Saints Rowing community.

Thank you One and All ❤️🤍💙

25/02/2026

19/02/2026