Burk Ketcham: pushing the upper limit of Masters Rowing

Over a decade ago a young 90-year-old Burk Ketcham posted a note on social media asking if any other 90-year-old would like to row a double with him at the World Rowing Masters Regatta. He said it would be history-making to be the first ever “L” (90 or over) entry at the regatta.  

Ketcham didn’t find the 90-year-old but he did go on to win the K double and K quad.  

American rower, Ketcham passed away recently at the age of 100 and left behind an incredible legacy of masters rowing firsts. 

Ketcham got interested in rowing when he was 54 but at the same time his wife was going through cancer and the time was not right for him to take up the sport.  

After she died Ketcham reached out to the rowing community and at 67 years old he got involved in the sport.  

He competed in his first World Rowing Masters Regatta as an 80-year-old. Already being in the highest age category, “J” for 80 years and over, Ketcham realised the categories needed to be extended.  

Ketcham worked hard to convince World Rowing to create the K (average age 83+), L (average age 86+) and M (average age 89+) categories to encourage older rowers to keep rowing. World Rowing’s master’s commission accepted the new categories. This played a part in inspiring many “octo” rowers to keep competing.  

As well as lobbying for the new categories, Ketcham was the person behind rowers over 80 receiving recognition. At the 2007 World Rowing Masters Regatta in Croatia a new ceremony was staged for the 80+ rowers. These octogenarians received medals with Ketcham behind the “Ancient Order of OAR” (Octogenarian Active Rowing). In Croatia 14 rowers received this medal. The ceremony continues to today.  

Ketcham travelled extensively to attend the World Rowing Masters Regatta and his name continually popped up at the events, usually under the category of oldest rower at the regatta.  

Active until the end, last year Ketcham made news by protesting against President Trump. The opening line to an article written about Ketcham’s protest said; “Burk Ketcham is not your typical 100-year-old”. Ketcham held a one-man protest every day, twice a day at a busy intersection near to his apartment for much of 2025.  

https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/meet-burk-ketcham-age-100-protests-trump-20385975.php  

Ketcham turned 100 in March 2025 and died recently, nearly reaching 101.