Cool weather, hot rowing at masters worlds

Dubai's masters men's coxed four

In amongst the 30-plus countries competing at the 2007 World Rowing Masters Regatta in Zagreb, Croatia, was a country there for the first time. Their initials are UAE.

The United Arab Emirates became members of the International Rowing Federation, FISA, just two years ago but in a short time they have built up an enthusiastic bunch of mainly ex-pat rowers, many of whom are over 27 years old, fitting into the masters category of rowing.

Last week 11 rowers traveled from Dubai in UAE to Lake Jarun in the heart of Croatia’s capital, Zagreb. It was their first regatta and rower Jeanette Bennett says there was a lot of interest in their group.

“Many people stopped us when they saw our kit. They wanted to know about rowing in Dubai.” Bennett says they just have a 750m stretch of water to row on in Dubai so racing over 1,000m – the masters racing standard distance – was difficult for winning medals. Medals are given out for first place in every race. As there are no heats, in events with more than six entries a gold medal is won in every race of that event. Bigger events, like the men’s “B” single, (age 36 years or more) filled 15 races.

Coming from a hot, humid climate it was quite a shock for the UAE rowers who hit unusually cold September temperatures for Zagrab. Rowers had to deal with rain for the first two days of racing and a 65 year old rower was treated for hypothermia. But the water remained calm and fine for rowing.

The masters regatta attracts a range of talents with ex-Olympians rowing against first time racers. Bennett describes one her fellow club members rowing in an eight for the first time at this regatta.

Four thousand rowers competed for their local rowing clubs, rather than countries. Bennett raced for the Dubai Rowing and Sculling Club. Many clubs also formed composite crews, especially for the eights, with sometimes three different nations rowing together. The event’s oldest rower, 88 year old regular racer, Charles Eugster rowed in a composite four made up of three different nations including top masters rowing nations – Germany, Italy and Great Britain.

The United States, as has become usual, boated a large number of crews from across the nation. One of the stalwarts of the sport, and regular racer, Ted Nash, made his annual trip to the world masters regatta. Nash, now 75, continues to coach at the national level and uses the masters regatta as a way of winding down at the end of the elite international season.

Chair of FISA’s Masters Commission, Peter Morrison said it was quite a feat for the organising committee to run the 500+ races over the four days at three minute intervals.

“Racing started and finished on time each day,” said Morrison. “A remarkable achievement considering the conditions sometimes and the inexperience of some of the crews.”

A new ceremony this year was staged for all competitors over the age of 80. Morrison presented the medals at a special ceremony. Burk Ketcham, 82, of the United States had organised a medal for “The Ancient Order of OAR” (being Octogenarian Active Rower). Some 14 such rowers were given a medal.

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