Rowing New Zealand is launching a national series of Masters Training Camps in 2026. They are now inviting clubs to express interest in hosting one of these weekend camps. Camp Overview Each camp will include: • Four on-water sessions in big boats (more where possible) • Erg and technical video analysis • Education seminars • Individual feedback for participants (videos) Camps will cater for 16–24 masters rowers, grouped by ability. These initial camps are not designed for ra

Rowing can create harmony at home or rowing can rock the domestic boat. For a masters racer who regularly competes in addition to a busy work schedule, time-blocking to give enough attention to a non-rowing partner has its challenges. If the scales are not balanced, all-day weekend regattas, early morning practices, long rows, mixed boat […]

Rowing New Zealand’s Community and Schools Rowing Co-Ordinator emailed this letter to all clubs on 15th July 2025. Please ensure your club committee and your masters members respond with feedback before the 29 August deadline. Hello Rowing Community, A Strategy for the Future of Masters Rowing in New Zealand In July 2024, Rowing New Zealand […]

An athlete asked this question Anyone familiar with imposter syndrome in middle aged athletes and how to get past it? I mean, not me, obviously, just asking generally. It is surprisingly common to find masters rowers thinking that they are less skilled, less deserving of being in good crew lineups and generally “talk themselves down”. […]

A survey was circulated after the New Zealand Masters Championships Regatta in September 2024. The results are summarised below.

Thanks to everyone who filled in the survey after the North Island Masters championships. High level findings

You bag your warm up and jump straight to the hard strokes. Next you conveniently forget your post-row stretch. Cutting training corners may be tempting when you are in a rush but in the long run it won’t pay. Even if you are short on time, following the rule of four will give you good […]

The injury rate in rowing is about 0.4 per 1,000 hours of training at the elite level. Rates may be higher among non-elite recreational rowers but are far less than other sports such as (American) football at 4 per 1,000 hours of training or rugby at 40 per 1000 hours of training. What causes rowing […]

Matt Kavanagh started rowing at the end of 2001 when Brian Hawthorne was doing a project out of North Shore RC and he heard about it. He had done half a novice year at school and always wanted to do it again. Last month Matt broke a New Zealand erg record for the 43-49 age […]

Looking for the right training recipe to boost your results this year? Race pace workouts are a key ingredient for boat speed. Your conditioning is going to improve through the season. In the early weeks develop a solid base of fitness and technique where you stick to lower intensity workouts until you feel your technique […]

The Legion of Rowers committee is pleased to announce a change to the classification for novice masters rowers. For the 2023 season and the Legion of Rowers Regatta in May 2023 the new classification is Novice Masters Event Classification – A Rower who is eligible for Novice Masters events is a Masters rower who has […]

This picture was sent to the St Georges R C web site with the question ….. “Is this a St Georges rower, and what can you tell me about this person”. The photo was a copy of the original which was made at a family funeral over 30 years ago. Sometimes a random enquiry can […]

Missing buoys, steering off course, falling out of your boat, being late to the start, rushing the slide, or stopping too soon before the finish line are only a few of those rookie mistakes common to the new competitive sculler. The skills of racing a single scull take time to develop because it is a […]

Just as pushing your bow across the line for the first time in the 50+ age category signifies entering a mature phase of your rowing career it may also mark new adventures in maintaining equilibrium in your training schedule. Masters athletes need to include the same intensities of work in their race preparation as their […]

By Marlene Royle – first published at Faster Masters Rowing “What is that?” He opened my box. A seasoned security guard, he looked at the folded skeleton of metal, puzzled, like the guys at gas stations who think your boat is a missile on the roof of your car. But in this Middle Eastern airport […]

South Island Masters regatta, 4–5 June Masters rowers enjoyed sunshine and mirror-like conditions on the Taieri River and Lake Waihola at the South Island Masters at Queen’s Birthday. Some 220 competitors attended from as far afield as Auckland and Bluff, and it was a great opportunity to rekindle friendships and rivalries. On the Saturday, 34 […]

by Jude Ellis In mid-2020 I took up an opportunity to live and work in Bonn, Germany which is located on the Rhine River about 30 km south of Cologne. One of the first things I did on arrival was check out the local rowing clubs, of which there are many. I’ve joined the Bonner […]

Masters and Past Rowers: Feedback to the Legion February 2022 Profile of Responders A survey was sent to 656 people on the Legion’s database and an invitation was also extended through the New Zealand Masters Facebook group. The purpose of the survey was to learn about the Legion of Rowers members and gather feedback that […]

With the covid infection rates ebbing and flowing across the country, the timing is good for this helpful infographic about “Return To Play” after having covid. Even through we are not all “performance athletes” the guidance is clear – take 17+ days to come back fully and monitor yourself carefully. Covid Symptoms Current guidelines that […]

Bluff or Bust – the Rhythm Belles are 3 masters from West End Rowing Club cycling the Tour Aotearoa. Follow their progress on Facebook. Read the full article [paywall].