Masters Rowing (eBook)

Introuction

ROWING – PASSION FOR A LIFETIME!

For most rowers, their sport is more than a simple physical activity; it is a form of artistic expression. Rowing introduces participants to a culture that becomes for many, a way of life, something Craig Lambert (1999, p.12) describes so well in his book Mind over water: Lessons on life from the art of rowing: “We are out here in the darkness to reveal ourselves, to discover who we are. With the oars, we attempt things that we cannot do, we confront that which is beyond our capacities. Mind over water. The shells transport us into the unknown.” Many, especially older rowers – both seasoned veterans and late-life beginners – wholeheartedly agree with this author. All by degrees become convinced of rowing’s power to convey the essential qualities and abilities that bring meaning to a modern life: strength, endurance, tranquility, balance, coordination, perseverance, team spirit, joy of competition, mindfulness, purposefulness and concentration!

Regardless of their motivation to pick up an oar – or ergometer handle – adult rowing is a transformative experience. The combination of the social aspects of crew and team performance with its high demands on coordination and physicality, all in connection with sophisticated equipment, makes it comparatively unique within the sporting spectrum.

In rowing, adult athletes are known as “seniors” or “masters rowers”. Formerly common terms such as, “old women” and “old men” have happily fallen out of fashion as has “veterans” to a large extent, although this term remains in use for specific age race categories at some United States regattas (e.g. Head of the Charles). Throughout this book, we will use the term “masters rower”, as this is now the internationally recognized designation for athletes aged 27 years and upwards not racing in the open age category often called “senior”.

Regionally, there are also races offered under the name of “masters” for rowers even below the age of 27 years, to give younger adults who enter the sport a chance to accompany club comrades to regattas and be competitive. Although we recognize this development, this book will focus on adults over the age of about 30 years with their age specific situations and challenges. According to our understanding, this includes rowing as a performance sport under oftentimes very competitive conditions, as well as a demanding fitness activity or as an exercise for recreation and healthy living. Thus, masters rowing can extend over an age span of 50 years and often longer.

Historically, rowing was one of the first sports to offer organized activity and competition programs for all ages from youth up to advanced age. This is not by chance: targeted, continuous pursuit of rowing can counteract, stop and even reverse most of the inevitable aging processes that happen over a life span and many studies confirm the health effects of rowing.

But the benefits of rowing are not just physiological. It improves a person’s quality of life in general and has positive effects on the psyche. As a community sport, rowing provides a chance for meaningful social contact along with the shared experience of challenge and growth through common ventures such as traveling to regattas or touring destinations, as well as positive psychological stimuli to increase problem solving and gain self-confidence.

Sports for adults in the middle and later parts of their lives are becoming more and more popular, mirroring broader societal changes. These are caused by shifting demographics of the population, but also by the evolving landscape of both work and leisure. Sport is omnipresent and offers a variety of services particularly for older adults, especially under the premises of health and prevention. In the course of these developments, the number of physically active or sports-oriented adults has increased, while at the same time the diverse range of activities available is rapidly expanding

The authors are in this expanded sense themselves enthusiastic masters rowers, who even after more than 55 years in the sport continue to enjoy the activity, aim for their particular individual goals and (mostly) experience satisfaction. Add to that countless other positive experiences reaching from the sensations of “perfect strokes” with the accompanying “effortless” run of the boat, the wonderful interpersonal interactions, the magnificent experience of being in nature, to the awareness and enjoyment of improved physical performance. This encourages us, the authors, to keep taking on the ever-increasing demands of our sport whether as coaches, instructors or athletes. We wish to contribute in our own way to the sport we enjoy so much in order for as many adults as possible to experience rowing with the greatest joy and personal satisfaction. In doing so, we are convinced that lifelong sports - especially rowing - have positive effects on health, performance and life expectancy, and thus significantly improve people's quality of life, even as they age.

This conviction is in line with developments in our society that are generally recognizable in sports for adults and older individuals: the “rediscovery of the own body”, along with a changing sense of health and fitness; the need for authentic physical activity in the great outdoors; the desire for social connectedness and a sense of inclusion. All of this characterizes the attitudes towards physical activity and the shift in adults’ approach to sports.

In the conscious configuration of leisure time and as a separation from the working world, sport has become an important factor in adults’ lives, and thus contributes to society’s evolving image of the typical “older person”. The increasing variety of activities and sports provides tailor-made offers for all kinds of specific interests and goals, not only in terms of different sports and forms of exercise, but also individual motives. Offerings span from competitive performance sports to recreational activities that are geared towards community or nature experiences.

The current trend is for more and more adults to find rowing as their activity of choice through various club and community programs like adult learn-to-row courses or training camps. These individuals progress from learning the basic rowing movements to the intricacies of refining technique and then finally to enjoying all that this sport has to offer. Additionally, many former high school, college and high performance rowers continue in their sport beyond their adolescent years or come back after a number of years of absence from the sport.

Rowing’s draw lies in its ability to open up disparate physical, psychological and social experiences at every age and for every level of ability. The sport is particularly attractive because of the way individual experiences can be linked and combined so that no two people experience rowing in the same way. Regardless of which stage in life a rower takes up the sport and the primary motivation – for health, recreation and well-being, or striving for peak physical performance and competition – rowing, with its varied perspectives and opportunities, is an ideal sport for all.

The phenomenon of adult aged competitive and performance sports now stands side by side with the important notion of lifelong physical activity for physical and psychological health. This becomes strikingly obvious when you look at the increasing rates of participation across all ages and ever higher levels of performance at masters rowers’ races. The frequency and format of racing opportunities for masters is also on the rise around the world.

The significance of the topic requires a systematic exploration of the various ways that masters rowers learn, practice and train. It is also important that we consider what “successful aging” looks like and rowing’s role in this lifelong pursuit.

This book is dedicated to adults of all ages who are practicing this sport and to those wishing to guide and support these masters as coaches and instructors. We are indebted to the vast range of perspectives and motivations that masters seek and find through the pursuit of rowing.

The authors are aware that, by the very nature of rowing as a sport of various experiences, the motivations and perspectives of each adult rower are many and complex. Even a masters rower, who trains and races systematically, may well have in mind the health benefits of the sport and find joy in the pleasures of a rowing tour with friends. On the other hand, the inveterate touring rower is as interested in improving and maintaining their technique as in building and maintaining the social connections afforded by their crew and club.

A Note on the Book’s Structure

In this book, we take the perspective of all masters rowers, regardless of whether they are simply using it to pursue good health, or practicing the sport to maintain or improve their physical fitness, or occasionally seeking the outdoors and activities in the boat to relax and decompress, or are life-long, or once again or new...