A colourful parade of national flags carried by local children and followed by some of the 800 athletes typified the relaxed nature of the ceremony.

The Ceremony also paid tribute to the many people who were part of the 1978 World Championships at Lake Karapiro as either volunteers, participants or spectators.

"We are especially pleased to come back here to Lake Karapiro," President of the International Rowing Federation, FISA, Denis Oswald said.

A sampling of athletes from the 49 nations, represented at these Championships, were then led across the stage in a Parade of Nations. New Zealand was represented by Mahe Drysdale, who is due to compete in the men's single, and Eric Murray, a competitor in the men's pair, who both train on the waters of Lake Karapiro.

Representatives of local Maori tribes, Ngati Koroki Kahukura and Ngati Haua then performed the Powhiri, a traditional Maori challenge and welcoming ceremony to the visiting officials from FISA and visitors to the Karapiro region.

The ceremony ended with the raising of the Fisa flag along with that of New Zealand.

Racing begins tomorrow at 10.05am with the heats of the lightweight men's pair. 


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