With the British National Masters Rowing Championships happening last weekend it gave me a chance to reflect on what an amazing part Masters Rowing plays within our sport and how vibrant and growing the community is. Rowing is a fantastic way to exercise and with the Masters categories starting at the age of 27 it offers a huge array of events and competitions, which are growing in popularity. This is reflected in the growing size of Masters squads in rowing clubs across the country.
The Physical Benefits of Masters Rowing
Rowing is a full-body sport that can help to improve cardiovascular health, muscle strength and endurance, and flexibility. It can also help reduce risk of significant disease associated with aging. Moreover, masters rowing can also help to improve balance and coordination, a benefit for older adults who are at an increased risk of falls. Training for rowing within masters groups will involve endurance sessions, high intensity intervals, strength sessions, and core and flexibility focused sessions like Pilates or Yoga. With the diversity of training it is fantastic at exposing your body to different stimulus and stress, which is of incredible benefit as you age.
The Mental Benefits of Masters Rowing
Rowing also has a number of benefits for mental health, and I think it is here that the sport really plays a special part in rowing communities. It can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. It can also improve mood, self-esteem and cognitive function. Water sessions, particularly, offer many the opportunity for a sort of outdoor meditation, where the river and surroundings can offer peace and tranquility. Learning and maintaining the skill of rowing technique is also an engaging and mentally stimulating journey that moves the sport out of the physical realm alone.
Perhaps the most important benefit to mental health, however, is the sense of community and belonging rowing clubs provide. I have seen this first hand with my Dad and Step-mum’s involvement in their local rowing club – Bedford Star Club. Sessions offer a regular meeting for like minded people to go out and enjoy the sport they love together, and they are often followed by a coffee and a natter. This can be especially important for older adults, who may be more likely to experience loneliness and isolation.
Rowing events and competitions also provide an incredibly stimulating opportunity for masters rowers. Well into old age they can enter age appropriate events and build their season towards competing in local, national and even international competitions. The amount and variety of masters specific events adds purpose and motivation to training, helping masters rowers stay on track and engaged with the sport. Competition can improve self-confidence by working towards and achieving a goal. There is also fantastic camaraderie involved with crews and masters squads going to events together, giving it a really special social element and making people feel part of something. Again I have seen this with my Dad’s group who first started competing in Masters C and are still going at Masters H. They absolutely love it and it gives them so my joy, it is amazing to witness.
If you want to get involved in the sport of rowing then get in touch with your local rowing club to see what they offer, many have vibrant Masters groups. If you want any support with your training, then take a look at my services page to see if I can help you.
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