Masters Rowing

Masters Rowing plays an important role in contributing to the vibrancy and inclusiveness of Nelson Rowing Club. Our Masters Rowing programmes cater for all levels of athletes including learn to row, recreational and competitive rowers. Over the past few years the number of Masters rowers in the club has grown and they are a very social group who welcome new members. The Club offers its members a great range of boats and equipment. Rowing takes place on the beautiful Haven inside the Boulder Bank, and training camps are held at Lake Rotoroa where the club has a facility for our members.

Who is a Masters Rower?

Technically, a Masters Rower refers to a rower who is 27 years and over (not, as some might think, a reference to a rowers ability!). However at Nelson Rowing Club, Masters rowing is rowing for adults so if you are in your early to mid-20's, you're very welcome to the join the Club too!

How do I start rowing with the Masters?

Sunday mornings are Club Day at NRC. Masters meet at the Club between 7:30am and 8:00am and organise themselves into crews. NRC rowers generally do a lot of sculling (quads and doubles) but there are a few members who are keen on sweeping and every so often, will organise an eight or a four to go out. After a morning row, members gather upstairs in the clubrooms for morning tea and a catch-up. Sunday rowing is the best way to get involved with the club and meet our rowers.

NRC Masters Programmes

Here's some of the groups and activities on offer at NRC for our Masters rowers, and then have a look at our Coastal Rowing page to see what else you can get involved in!

Recreational Rowing

Masters don't just row on Sundays. Most days you will find Masters at the boatshed. During the summer months when the days are longer there's a Tuesday evening row and a Thursday evening row. The latter often also involves a beer and hot chips at the local pub afterwards!

Competitive Rowing

From 27 years, a rower is eligible to compete at Masters regattas. NRC crews regularly race at the South Island Masters regatta and NZ Masters regatta which are held every year. NRC also takes Masters crews to Marlborough Champs and South Island Club Champs which include Masters events on the programme. In the lead-up to these regattas, our competitive Masters are training out on the water up to four times a week. They're dedicated, keen and successful.

Small Boat Saturdays

Small Boat Saturdays (SBS) are Saturday morning sessions for Masters who would like to gain confidence in a double and/or single. Crews are accompanied by a coach in a safety boat who are on hand to give helpful tips and advice on technique. This is a great way to get some one-on-one coaching and develop your rowing skills.

Fungatta

The culmination of the first SBS sessions was a Fungatta on the Maitai River. Crews in doubles raced head to head in four round robin groups with group placings leading to A, B & C Finals. The opportunity to gain extra points if you competed in fancy dress meant all entrants turned up on the day in a range of outfits from fairies and angels to cats and gondoliers - which all added to the fun, social atmosphere. A "Head of the Haven" singles event is currently being planned!