Top spots for Lakeland at world masters

Masters of the world: Sam (left), Nick, Julia, Graeme, Celia and Gordon

Lakeland Rowing Club returned from the World Rowing Masters’ Regatta with an astonishing two first-place medals, five second places and two thirds.

More than 3000 athletes from around the world, including former Olympians, took part in the five-day championship held from 7-11 September - the first time it was staged since 2019.

The club was founded just 15 years ago, has only around 100 members and no permanent clubhouse. Yet the six members competing in the French city of Libourne didn’t finish lower than fifth in any of their races.

Sam Ayers, who runs exercise company BodyFit Cumbria, and retired GP Nick Cowan, both from Eaglesfield, successfully defended their mixed doubles title in the E category (average crew age 55-59).

Sam said: “Nick and I were delighted but also relieved to retain our world title. We won our race by just under one second, so it was very hard fought.

“We gained a lot of experience through our previous races in the week, which set us up nicely for our key event. We’ve trained hard throughout the year on water, in the gym and on rowing machines, so it’s good to know hard work pays off!”

Sam and Nick show off their medals after defending their world title

B&B owner Julia McCumiskey, from Keswick, and Graeme Mactavish, a forestry and environmental consultant from Bolton Low Houses, also triumphed in the mixed doubles D (average age 50-54).

Julia, who is Lakeland club chair, said: “Graeme and I have been training for three years in our mixed double scull. We’re absolutely delighted to have won at such a large competition with representatives from so many countries taking part.

“It’s been an experience of a lifetime and one I never thought I’d have, not being a sportswoman in my youth. Rowing is such a great sport that crosses many generations. The oldest crews taking part were well into their eighties, and one boat we raced against were a mother and son.”

Sam, Nick, Julia and Graeme also raced the 1000m course as a mixed quad in the E class, finishing second.

Sam and Julia came second in the women’s D doubles, while Nick had second place finishes in the men’s F doubles (age 60-64), with Keith Lawton of Hollingworth Rowing Club, and in the G doubles (age 65-69), with Andy Jaggard from Durham Amateur Rowing Club.

Celia Whittam, a gardener from Troutbeck, was second in the women’s G singles, while Sam and Nick both came third in their singles races – Sam in D, Nick in F.

Celia said: “We had a fantastic time at Libourne where the atmosphere was always buzzing and the races precisely on time. It was amazing seeing the hundreds of boats lined up, row upon row.”

Retired IT specialist Gordon Jack, from Greysouthen, who was fifth in a double with Celia and in his single, added: “It was an excellent opportunity to compete amongst athletes from 50 nations in a great celebration of masters rowing. And it was even better when rowing alongside a winning Lakeland RC team.”