British Rowing Masters Championship 2018

A flotilla of masters boats headed to Nottingham this past weekend to take part in the British Rowing Masters Championships 2018, and came home laden with a raft of medals!

Saturday dawned bright and early with our scullers taking to the water in small boats across the age categories and levels of experience.  The famed Nottingham wind made conditions on the tricky side, but this didn’t deter our intrepid rowers from putting in some great performances. Andy (E1x) and Hudson (C1x) battled hard in their heats against tough opposition, and Hilary and Paula just missed out on reaching the final in their WE2x. The senior men dipped their toe in masters rowing in the A-C4-, straight final, coming second with a strong row. Margit and Nick in the Mx2x came 5th in their final, and Liz and Louise raced to 4th in the WF2x. Medals for the day came from Margit (WB1x) and Anne (WD1x) who both sculled to silver in their events – well done all!

Sunday it was the turn of the sweep oared and big boats to dominate the timetable, though a few of our scullers were in action again. Our C4- and D4- crews had a challenge on their hands in the twitchy headwind, but put in solid performances, the D4- qualifying for, and coming 6th in, their final. The E8+ came up against some blisteringly fast crews, just missing out on the final. After his event was cancelled at the last minute last year, Darren was finally able to show his sculling class in the Non-Champ D-F 1x coming 3rd, the WD4+ also racing to a strong 3rd in a tough field.

The HRR 2017 Dad’s Army 8+ came out of retirement (with a few subs) for the day to take on the young un’s in the A/C 8s, ending up in a tussle with Upper Thames for 1st place, and coming away with a silver. The younger half of the crew, racing in the A/C4+ later also brought home a solid second against a Curlew crew out to avenge their 8+.

And there were golds…Margit sculled to a commanding 6s victory over her opposition in the A/C Non Champ 1x, and the standout performance of the day has to be the WE/F8+ who overhauled a 6s handicap to win their gold by a staggering 12 seconds!

A super, exhausting weekend for all involved, it was fabulous to see rowers not just from the masters squads, but also from the L&P and seniors, coming together for an event that always demands (and recieves!) high quality performances and racing. And some familiar faces even made it on the YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kimIZRhsQ3U

Thanks again to Paul for trailering, and to the organisers and volunteers who made the championships happen. See you all next year!

YCRC at 2018 British Masters Championships. Photo: S. Goodall.
YCRC at 2018 British Masters Championships. Photo: S. Goodall.