Hollingworth Lake Rowing Club World Rowing Masters Regatta 2015

Hazewinkel in Belgium - World Rowing Masters Regatta 2015

A team of senior athletes from Hollingworth Lake Rowing Club competed in the World Rowing Masters Regatta at Hazewinkel in Belgium in September. The stunning setting and matching weather was complimented by some excellent displays of rowing by crews from all over the world.

The annual regatta is for rowers who are 27 years of age or older and the race covers a 1000m distance. Age groups are determined by five year blocks and competitors can race in a variety of boats, from single sculls to eights. The regatta attracts competitors from many countries across the world, with 49 countries and 674 clubs represented at this years event.

Past Olympians attend alongside national finalists and other club hopefuls.

Hollingworth Lake sent its own contingent of competitors in Paul Gooder, Paul Clay, Tim Booth, Keith Lawton and Penny Price who, together with Nigel and Graham Price of Royal Chester and Newark Rowing Clubs respectively, combined to enter several events, as below:

• Paul Gooder – single skull
• Paul Clay – single skull
• Tim Booth – single skull
• Graham Price – single skull
• Tim Booth and Keith Lawton – double skull
• Graham and Nigel Price – double skull and pair
• Paul Gooder and Paul Clay – double skull
• Tim Booth, Keith Lawton, Graham Price, Nigel Price – quadruple skull
• Time Booth, Keith Lawton, Paul Gooder, Paul Clay – quadruple skull
• Nigel Price and Penny Price – double skull

The team were extremely competitive with several second and third place results. Whilst no golds were won, which is the only medal handed out for race winners, the margins were very tight.

A spokesman said: "The event has provided inspiration to attend future events with a view to converting those second and third place slots to first."