[L]akeland Rowing Club came away from Hexham Regatta on Saturday with four well-deserved medals after a series of extremely closely contested races.
Lakeland’s first silverware of the day went to James Waterfield in his single scull in the men’s Masters A (age 27-35) final, followed two minutes later by Nick Cowan who, having flown through his heat, won the men’s Masters E (age 55-59) final.
Double scullers Sam Ayers and Julia McCumiskey also medalled in the women’s Masters A-C (age 27-49) final.
A mixed Masters B double (average age 36-42) of Fiona Grove and James Waterfield narrowly missed out after forcing a University of Northumbria crew half their age to fight for victory all the way down the 700-metre course, while mixed Masters E crew of Sam Ayers and Nick Cowan gave a younger pairing from Abingdon Rowing Club a close run.
Lakeland’s development officer David Thomas also had a tight race in his Masters F (age 60-64) single scull, while the pairing of Celia Whittam and Lisa Waistell, the latter competing in her first regatta, performed with grace and style in the women’s Masters D-E (age 50-59) category.
David Pratt and David Thomas held their own in their men’s Masters E-F (age 55-64) double, while a mixed Masters C-E quad of James, Sam, Julia and Nick reduced a whopping 12-second starting handicap against an older crew to a very creditable two seconds by the finish.
Beginners, or returning rowers, who would like to know more about opportunities at Lakeland RC can visit www.lakelandrowingclub.com or find the club on Facebook – just search for the Lakeland Rowing Club page.
