Everyone’s pathway into rowing as a master is somewhat different. I love this diversity and the wonderful “backstories” which exist.
Thanks to Anja Wever of Balmain RC in Australia who has written her story into masters rowing for us – read more below.
The masters pathway is a concept which I have been working on for some time. Most Federations do not have a formal strategy and plan for masters, yet every other group of rowers has a ‘pathway’ which sets out how to get people into the sport and ways to support them with coaching, education, equipment and progress markers along the way.
Masters need a formalised pathway too – it won’t be a copy/paste solution because we all arrive by different routes. Yet in order to build up masters rowing, first understanding masters’ needs is a critical component.
Jurij sent this reply and photos after reading last week’s newsletter about steering and hazard awareness.
Seeing what is in front of the boat is very important, and if in youth it was not difficult to turn around and look behind, then rowers of older age groups have problems.
Not only because their vision is worse, but also because it is more difficult for them to turn around. That’s why I use sphoric mirrors. P.S. I constantly share information about Master Faster with my friends.
If you are at Henley Masters Regatta this weekend, come and say hi to Rebecca and Grant.
Have a stylish rowing week.
Rebecca
Our most recent podcast
Peter Midgeley talks about what Masters Rowing is like in New Zealand and the growth of the South Island Masters Championship regatta. Click the image to watch.
Boathouse Chat for the Weekend
Hi! I’m new to this group. I recently joined because I rowed #6 in a heavy 8 for Trinity College, Hartford CT. Just wanted to see what’s going on or there!
Attended my first “Learn to Row” session and was instantly hooked. Quickly moved on to the Intermediate Rowing course and found a new calling.
2020: EMBRACING THE LEARNING CURVE – YIKES
Some serious blunders – falling in the water slow motion without the ability to stop it; rowing with both gates the wrong way around, hurting my back…my technique needed lots of work. My supportive club peers and YouTube videos helped a lot. I joined the WM8+ and quad crew, where my competitive spirit got a real boost racing at regattas. Seriously, 50 seconds away from the winner is not that much…
2021: TAKING COMPETITION SERIOUSLY
In 2021, I decided to get serious about competitive rowing. I bought my own lightweight single scull and followed an online training plan. Winning a medal in a quad race – woot, woot! Trials and tribulations during my single races… 35 seconds away from the winner…
2022: FIRST ACCOMPLISHMENT
My first medal for WMD1x at a local regatta. I was over the moon!
Anja Wever
2023: SETBACKS – KEEP GOING
A year of realisations; state and national champions attend local regattas… hold on… my margins are in serious decline. A year of second places, steering mishaps and other learning. No medals, and I had to rethink my strategy and increase my training.
2024: EFFORTS ARE STARTING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Still lots of steering mishaps, my technique still needs lots of work, but fantastic crew, winning eight medals at local regattas this year and drum, drum… Bronze at the Australian State Championship in the WMD1x! Honestly, to me it felt like winning an Oscar! 21 seconds away from the winner! ;0) Thanks to all the amazing people at Balmain Rowing Club, and thanks to my family for their patience and support!!
If short stories like Anja’s interest you, there’s a collection of 5 books called Rowing Tales edited by Rebecca Caroe.
Each includes anecdotes, stories, true triumphs and disasters submitted by readers like you. The first three covers are below – each one by an artist who is also a rower.
They are easy to pick-up and put down reading – just dip in as you like.
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