London RC won the British Masters Championships Victor Ludorum prize in 2024. We talk to coach and captain James Sexton-Barrow about their approach to training, racing and organising their masters squad.
Timestamps
01:00 The plan to win the trophy began with a tracking spreadsheet.
02:30 The common goal for masters at London Rowing Club – it’s a very big club membership with 100-120 rowers. The vision to win the trophy started after the 2023 event. The rowing sub-committee set the goal in January.
05:00 There are many sub-groups within the masters membership with their own objectives. A kick-off meeting brought everyone together. The club’s founding was about winning at Henley Royal Regatta. We can all do this and get our photo on the wall next year.
07:00 Challenges overcome
We have a limit to number of boats and trailer space – the logistical challenge was addressed early. Also members expectations were managed as all fours had to also be quads to save trailer space. [The regatta does sweep one day and sculling the next.]
Shared goals meant members had to do well in lots of events across a broad base of individuals. Time was allocated to crew boats and balanced against individual goals for the collective goal.
11:00 The members age from masters A but the youngest category race offered in BMRC is B. Crews had to be averaged out to accommodate younger members. Ages from 28 to early 70s took part.
Everyone was happy to mix-and-match. Most people did 3 races over the weekend.
Most crews were in championship age group racing, a few did intermediate category events.
15:15 What next?
Henley Masters Regatta and next year the Banyoles World Rowing Masters Championships is a future focus. We would like to retain the trophy in 2025 too.
