Octogenarians celebrated at 30th Henley Masters Regatta
Over 1,253 Masters competitors in 366 crews, representing 158 rowing clubs, from 12 countries enjoyed racing on the world-famous Henley regatta course on 12-13 July 2024
Frances, Mary, Stan and Colin with their certificates
The 1000m side-by-side racing at the regatta is a testament to the enthusiastic dynamic competitive nature of Masters rowing both in the UK and globally.
The interesting individual and crew stories are too many to mention. But one example of a crew’s determination to race, and aim to win, was Bridgenorth RC’s Masters I Open Double Scull. Although they have over 130 years of sculling experience between them, Colin is registered blind and Stan is actively recovering from a recent heart attack and stroke, yet both trained six days a week for the event. Colin and Stan’s story typifies the attraction, and international prestige of the event, as well as the determination of Masters rowers and scullers to competitively race down the Henley course and win a medal in the now world-famous purple boxes.
Another event of note was Upper Thames’s Mary Bromilow’s race in Women’s Masters J single sculls against Frances Lester of Monmouth RC; together being the first two women over 80 years to race at the regatta. All competitors over 80 at the regatta are recognised with a Henley Masters Regatta Octogenarian pin.
Local clubs Henley and Upper Thames had numerous successes. Henley won Women’s Masters E quad sculls, whilst regatta hosts, Upper Thames, won an exceptional 11 events including: Open Masters D and F quad sculls, Women’s Masters J single sculls, Women’s Masters D and F double sculls, Women’s D, E and F eights (composites), Open Masters G quad sculls (composite), Open Masters D coxed four (composite) and Open Masters H double sculls (composite).
The regatta was founded in 1994 by Harry Harvey and Stuart Wilson. To celebrate a 30-year party was held at Leander on Saturday evening, thanking the many hard-working volunteers, competitors, sponsors, and supporters who enabled the successful running of the regatta.
Harry Harvey’s daughter, Henley Royal Regatta Steward and Umpire Fiona Dennis, presents medals to Upper Thames’s WMasF 2x, Helen Mangan and Judith Burne
Full results are available here, photos by Ben Rodford Photography are here, and you can watch back the racing on the pay-per-view livestream here.
