Masters rowers prepare to race

Masters rowing starts at the age of 27 and this year the regatta includes rowers up to the age of 91. As has been common in recent years, the men’s ‘C’ single has attracted a huge number of entries. This event – for those over 43 years old – has 78 entries including a whole slew from South American countries, such as 60-year-old Alejandro Gasparri of Argentina and Edson Aquino Sant, 51, of the St Catarina Club in Brazil. There is also James Joseph from Madras, India, and regular competitor FISA masters commission member, Daniel Rutenberg from Tel Aviv, Israel. The regatta is raced over 1000m and rowers are able to enter in more than one race so organisers are expecting about 7,500 ‘seats’ to be registered. The final day of racing is for mixed crews, and rowers are able to enter during the regatta.

This year the average age of men competing is 54 and the average age of the women is 49 and represents rowers who are ex-Olympic medallists through to 

those racing for the first time.

The St Catharines rowing course is best known for the annual Royal Canadian Henley Regatta and the venue has also hosted the 1999 World Rowing Championships.