A soaring start for McIndoe

By Elaine Kelly | Posted: Thursday February 10, 2022

Just like the Phoenix, two Year 13 boys, James Gardner and Henry Kirk have ensured that McIndoe house kicks off 2022 soaring high! They have both had great achievements in their chosen sports.

James Gardner has attracted national attention in cycling as can be seen from this recent press article. James won the 71km race between Gore to Invercargill, New Zealand’s longest-running club classic cycling race, leaving fifty other cyclists in the dust. James was the fastest under-19 rider in the race and this success builds on previous achievements in 2020 when he won the under-17 race at the Criterium Nationals in Christchurch and in 2021 when scorched his way around the 16km time trial course at the age-group road national championships in Rotorua in April. James' approach to racing is humble and modest. This is a young man who never takes anything for granted, always putting in the mahi ahead of major competitions to ensure he is fit for the race and knows the course well.

Henry Kirk's chosen passion has been rowing for the past four years. At the end of January, he raced in the Under 19 pairs at the South Island Clubs competition in partnership with Grayson Small (Aspinall House) where they comfortably won the race. Their time beat off all the other boats in all the other pair events over that regatta. Their final for their senior double was unfortunately cancelled due to the wind, but Henry is looking forward to next week's Nationals to ensure further success. Previous success for Henry includes winning the 17 Double and Pairs races at Maadi Cup in March of 2021. He says that ensuring a solid training schedule and having a can-do attitude helps him succeed.

Both boys have been recognised at school with a Phoenix award for their efforts and we thank them for bringing honour to McIndoe house and Otago Boys' High School.