Crafting Shells – Chasing Seconds

Published in Flexi Magazine: Issue 48, 2025

At SL Racing, the motto is simple: “Everything we do is focused on getting you first across the line.” It’s a philosophy that applies as much to their high-performance rowing shells as it does to their people - like MAST graduate Adam Vanderpeet, who was awarded the Outstanding Composite Apprentice award at the MAST Academy the 2025 graduation earlier this year.

Described as a “gentleman” and a “top guy,” with the kind of quiet determination you want both in your boat and on your build team, Adam has been working at SL Racing since 2020. From laminating carbon fibre to contributing to the high-performance shell raced by Olympic champion Emma Twigg at the 2024 Paris Olympics, he plays a hands-on role alongside the team through every phase of the build.

There’s a strong sense of pride across the SL Racing team in the journey they’ve undertaken. Based in Napier, brothers Simon and Hamish Lack have turned their lifelong passion for rowing into SL Racing – a family-run business dedicated to high-performance innovation.

For Emma’s newly designed rowing shell, Simon and Hamish brought in experts such as naval architect Kevin Dibley, who reviewed the existing model using hydrostatics – analysing the curves of specific areas and assessing volume distribution for different weights – and composite design engineer Yoan Stephant, whose materials technology expertise helped refine the design.

“The SLR Advantage features targeted laminate optimisation right where the rower sits, creating a strong structural connection from the rower’s feet to the oars,” says Yoan. With a front-row seat to the process, Adam has gained exposure over the course of his apprenticeship to some of the most advanced design philosophies in the sport of rowing, as well as cutting-edge composite fabrication techniques. “Every detail mattered,” he says. “It wasn’t just about how it looked - it had to perform under the highest pressure imaginable.”

The summer rowing season is non-stop action at SL Racing. Between filling orders, handling repairs, and attending regattas across the country, there’s little time to spare. For Adam – who also rows with the Hawke’s Bay Rowing Club – the pace doesn’t let up. “I didn’t have much time to train before Nationals in February this year,” he says. During a racing heat, Adam and his mate found themselves nearly four boat lengths behind. “We suddenly had to dig deep,” he recalls. They surged forward to make the A Final – a result Adam was proud of.

That same grit shows up in the workshop. Whether he’s racing on the water or working with high-performance composite materials in the shed, Adam brings precision and performance to everything he does. “No one sees the hours in the shed it takes to get there,” he says. “Every line matters – whether it’s the angle of your stroke or the bevel of your bow.”