Profile of Mike Benge

Mike Benge joined the Petone Rowing Club in 1981,  aged 17 and continued to row for 
Petone as an active member  until 1992. Mike then moved to Wanganui.

Mike and his family are a very strong part of Petone Rowing Club's history, Mikes father 
Geoff Benge, his grandfather Len Benge, and his great grandfather Albert White all rowed 
for Petone Rowing Club.

One of Mike's many significant achievements came in 1997 when he represented New 
Zealand in the NZ Coxed Four in 1997, taking 1st place at Bosbaan, Amsterdam, and 
also 5th in  world Cup, Lucern, Switzerland.

Mike remains an active Masters rower today with the Petone Rowing Club, continuing 
his tradition of winning.

Key Successes & Contributions for the Petone Rowing Club

Mike held many positions within the Petone Rowing Club, most notiably,

• Vice Club Captain 1986
• Club Captain 1987
• Committee Member
• Intermediate Double 1st NZ Champs 1985
• Senior Single 1st NZ Champs 1987
• Senior Double 1st NZ Champs 1987
• World champs trialist 1991
• Olympic trialist 1992
• NZ Rowing Team 1997

Rowing Summary

Mike had a very rewarding rowing career, locally with Petone and Intenationally representing New Zealand .

• 1981/1982 Intermediate Eight, Senior Pair
• 1982/1983 Senior Four, Pemier Eight
• 1983/1984 Senior Pair, Premier Four, Premier Eight (Viv Harr, Ashley Smith, Ian Thompson, Pete Hanley, Scott Worsfold, Dave Hanley, Mike Benge,
  Pete Walkington)
• 1984/1985 1st Intermediate Double NZ Champs (Mike Benge, Dave Hanley)
• 1985/1986 Premier Coxless Four,( Jerome Mckeefry, Mike Burrell, Mike Benge, Dave Hanley) Senior Double 3rd (Mike Benge Dave Hanley)
• 1986/1987 1st Senior Single NZ Champs (Mike Benge), 1st Senior Double NZ Champs (Benge Hanley)
• 1987/1988 Premier Double, 2nd Premier Pair
• 1988/1989 Premier Single, 2nd Premier Quad, (Mike Benge, John Cook, Brett Cooper, Shaun Hogan)
• 1989/1990 Premier Quad 3rd (Mike Benge, John Cook, Brett Cooper, Kevin Horan)
• 1990/1991 Premier 4+, 4-, 4x, 2-, 3rd in each. (Mike Benge, John Cook, Chris Gaudie, Dave Hanley). World Champs Trial Mangakino.
• 1991/1992 Premier 4+, 4-, 2nd Premier coxless pair (Mike Benge John Cook) Olympic Trial Karapiro.
• 1996/1997 NZ Coxed Four, 1st in World Cup, Bosbaan, Amsterdam. 5th in world Cup, Lucern, Switzerland.

Since leaving the Petone Rowing Club Mike has moved to Wanganui, however still enjoys his rowing, today rowing with the Petone Masters Rowing team.

Rowing with the legends who have made Petone Rowing Club a great institution. Each year Mike and the master crew race together, none of the tenacity or commitment has been lost. Still taking racing seriously, competing with Viv Harr, Ian Boserio, Des Lock, Warren Quin, John Argue, Dave Hanley, Colin Smith, Bill Cargill, Helen Baxter (great coxswain) and more.
 

1990-1991: Petone Premier Quad: Twizel; Mike Benge, John Cook, Chris Gaudie, Dave Hanley.

1997 - NZ Coxed Four Amsterdam: Ian Smallman (Avon), Chris Jarvis (Auckland), Mike Benge (ex Petone - rowing from Union), Eddie Dunn (North Shore) Mike Whittiker ((Cox) North Shore).

Today, Mike lives in Wanganui with his wife Steph, & has two children. You can contact via email at mikebengenz@yahoo.co.uk, or from his Facebook.

To contact Geoff Benge email, geoff@benge.co.nz,

The Copyright of all pictures and content on this site belongs to Petone Rowing Club and may not be used without the written permission of Petone Rowing Club. Should you wish to use any of our content please email copyright@petonerowingclub.com

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