An exceptionally dynamic week is behind us at VK Neretvanski gusar. It was marked by a valuable donation, a national team call-up and excellent results by our rowers in Zagreb.
Unka, Zagreb and Brandenburg · May 2026
The old machine heads to Ramsko Lake
The most emotional moment of the week was saying goodbye to our old wooden eight. The boat is still in very good, rowable condition, but space in our boathouse at Unka has been tight for a long time. With the arrival of a new Empacher eight, the wooden eight became surplus equipment — but certainly not a boat that deserved to stand aside and slowly deteriorate.
That is why we decided it should continue its rowing story in the right place — on Ramsko Lake, with our sporting friends from VK Rama. Members of VK Rama collected the eight, and we are glad that this “old machine” will remain on the water, in training and in service of new generations of rowers.
This donation is another confirmation of the friendship and cooperation between Metković and Rama, which has lasted for years. We believe the boat will serve VK Rama well and support the club’s further development.
Roko Mijić at national team preparations
A major recognition for the work of our club and rowing school came through another national team call-up. Roko Mijić travelled to Zagreb for the final preparations of the Croatian rowing team ahead of the European Championship in Brandenburg.
After strong performances and confirmed form at selection regattas, Roko earned his place among the athletes who will represent Croatia. The final camp is focused on improving crew harmony, raising form and fine-tuning details before racing on the big European stage.
The whole club is proud of Roko’s work, consistency and seriousness from season to season. Good luck, Roko, in the final preparations and in Brandenburg — Metković and your Gusari are cheering for you! 💪
Nika Cetina’s medals and Dajana Jelinčić’s performance in Zagreb
The rowing week was rounded off by our girls’ performances at the Intercity regatta in Zagreb, where Nika Cetina and Dajana Jelinčić represented us.
Dajana rowed a determined race and finished 5th in the B final, showing progress and strong fighting spirit on the course. Every race like this is valuable experience, especially in the strong and large field that gathered in Zagreb.
Nika Cetina had another excellent weekend. In the junior women’s single sculls, she reached the podium and won a bronze medal. On the second day, she teamed up with Vita Živčić from VK Karlovac in the double sculls, where the crew rowed a strong race, took first place and won the gold medal.
Another sporting weekend ahead
Another weekend of racing is ahead on two fronts. We will follow Roko Mijić and the national team quadruple sculls in Germany, while our club crews travel to Kaštela for the next Dalmatian Rowing Federation Cup regatta.
Work at the club continues at full pace — new equipment is in use, our national team rowers and club athletes are bringing good news from regattas, and sporting friendships like the one with VK Rama give the whole club an additional tailwind.
