There are few sports where balance, synchronicity, and coordination is so critical to achieving speed. Rowing, especially in the larger boats with eight rowers, is the most beautiful dance of combined power and finesse from multiple people that truly makes it the ultimate team sport.
The motivation of a master’s rower can be a wide array of reasons from recreational rowing, trying a new hobby, health and wellness, competing at local regattas or competing at World Rowing Masters Championships. Masters rowing also provides rowers with a unique opportunity to socialize and form lasting friendships with individuals in your crew, training group, rowing club, province, country and world!
Rowing is a sport that you can compete for life. It is never too late to try rowing or compete in a regatta. Competitors in the Masters category are age 21 and older. Masters Rowers participate in a wide range of race types throughout the year in indoor and outdoor competitions.
Benefits of Masters Rowing
Benefits of rowing, general health and injury prevention, change sports, active for life (JT/BS)
“I love the feel of a crew boat moving smooth and fast, and the continued challenge of trying to row a single well. I love being out on the water in the early morning, especially when the water is flat calm. Yes, there are some mornings that aren’t wonderful, but 99% of the time when the rowing is done I am glad I got out of bed and was on the water. Rowing into the sunrise, and with seals and porpoises is priceless. Of course, one of the big benefits of being a member of a rowing club is the social aspect of being with crewmates and the friendships you develop.”
Jonathan Tyson, Halifax Rowing Club
How to Get Involved?
Coastal Rowing and Touring
The rowers at LYC Rowing began replacing their rowing sculls with Coastal Rowing Sculls two years ago. We row on the ocean and often had to cancel rows due to wind and waves. Coastal boats are ideal for ocean-rowing. They are more stable and have an open transom so any water that comes in washes right back out. As a result we have been able to get in more on-the-water rows and attract members who might have been hesitant to try traditional, less stable, rowing sculls.
This summer we offered several Coastal rowing tours. For the first two, we took a group of visiting rowers on a 20K row through some of the Islands in Mahone Bay, past Indian Point, to Andrew’s Island where we had a picnic lunch and a swim and then a row back to the Lunenburg Yacht Club.
Our third Coastal rowing tour was out to Tancook Island, an island 14 kilometres from our Yacht Club and over open ocean. It took us close to two hours to row out – there was a little bit of chop part of the way and then some swell, but overall we had great conditions. We even had three whale sightings. We landed on a beach and ate a packed lunch on a nearby dock before setting out for the 2-hour row back.
At some regattas, rowers of different age categories can form crews and average their age. At other regattas, younger crews compete against older crews with a time handicap. Many Masters regattas also include mixed crew events.
Competitions and Racing
information on competing and racing as a masters rower.
RCA Masters Age Categories
AA – 21 – 26 years
A – 27 – 35 years
B – 36 – 42 years
C – 43 – 49 years
D – 50 – 54 years
E – 55 – 59 years
F – 60 – 64 years
G – 65 – 69 years
H – 70 – 74 years
I – 75 – 79 years
J – 80 years or more
“I row because I love to be on the water, outdoors, and exercising. I started rowing sculls six years ago and haven’t looked back… I am a wife and mother of four grown children and rowing is something I do for me.”
Karen Kinley, Rowing at LYC
For more information on how to participate in rowing at any age, contact a Nova Scotia club – Click Here.
“I love the feel of a crew boat moving smooth and fast, and the continued challenge of trying to row a single well. I love being out on the water in the early morning, especially when the water is flat calm. Yes, there are some mornings that aren’t wonderful, but 99% of the time when the rowing is done I am glad I got out of bed and was on the water. Rowing into the sunrise, and with seals and porpoises is priceless. Of course, one of the big benefits of being a member of a rowing club is the social aspect of being with crewmates and the friendships you develop.”
Jonathan Tyson, Halifax Rowing Club
How to Get Involved?
Coastal Rowing and Touring
The rowers at LYC Rowing began replacing their rowing sculls with Coastal Rowing Sculls two years ago. We row on the ocean and often had to cancel rows due to wind and waves. Coastal boats are ideal for ocean-rowing. They are more stable and have an open transom so any water that comes in washes right back out. As a result we have been able to get in more on-the-water rows and attract members who might have been hesitant to try traditional, less stable, rowing sculls.
This summer we offered several Coastal rowing tours. For the first two, we took a group of visiting rowers on a 20K row through some of the Islands in Mahone Bay, past Indian Point, to Andrew’s Island where we had a picnic lunch and a swim and then a row back to the Lunenburg Yacht Club.
Our third Coastal rowing tour was out to Tancook Island, an island 14 kilometres from our Yacht Club and over open ocean. It took us close to two hours to row out – there was a little bit of chop part of the way and then some swell, but overall we had great conditions. We even had three whale sightings. We landed on a beach and ate a packed lunch on a nearby dock before setting out for the 2-hour row back.
At some regattas, rowers of different age categories can form crews and average their age. At other regattas, younger crews compete against older crews with a time handicap. Many Masters regattas also include mixed crew events.
Competitions and Racing
information on competing and racing as a masters rower.
RCA Masters Age Categories
AA – 21 – 26 years
A – 27 – 35 years
B – 36 – 42 years
C – 43 – 49 years
D – 50 – 54 years
E – 55 – 59 years
F – 60 – 64 years
G – 65 – 69 years
H – 70 – 74 years
I – 75 – 79 years
J – 80 years or more
“I row because I love to be on the water, outdoors, and exercising. I started rowing sculls six years ago and haven’t looked back… I am a wife and mother of four grown children and rowing is something I do for me.”
Karen Kinley, Rowing at LYC
For more information on how to participate in rowing at any age, contact a Nova Scotia club – Click Here.
Row Nova Scotia developing, promoting and growing the sport of rowing in Nova Scotia
