The ongoing growth of masters rowing in South America saw nearly 500 participants, including a large increase in the number of women competitors on previous years. The participants represented 52 clubs and came from Brazil, Chile, Paraguay, Peru and Uruguay.

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Almost 500 participants too part in the 18th South American Masters Championships at San Pedro de La Paz, Chile

The overall winning club was Guaiba de Porto Alegre (GPA), Brazil who took away 23 golds, 22 silvers and 9 bronze medals. This is the seventh consecutive time that GPA has been crowned the overall champions of this regatta.

Brazil clubs also took the next two spots on the medals table with Argentina coming in at fourth.
The overall winning country was Brazil followed by Argentina then Chile.

Raced over 1000m, 129 events took place with ages ranging through ‘A’ to ‘I’ categories, the youngest competitors are allowed to be 27 years while the ‘I’ category signifies rowers in the 75 – 80 years old age range.

A variety of abilities took part – from newcomers to the sport of rowing through to Olympians. Herbert Jans Luna, a Sydney 2000 Olympian, competed in the men’s pair and four. Jans,33, is from Chile and remains involved in rowing.