Masters Rowing

In New Zealand, a rower is first eligible to compete in Masters competition in the year that they turn 27. There is no upper age limit.

Rowers are then put into age based categories from A to K – if rowing in a crew category ‘A’ crews have an average age of 27 or older, with category ‘K’ crews having an average age of 85 or older.

Masters rowers enjoy the competition, camaraderie and pure enjoyment of the sport of rowing itself.  There is no age too high to learn to row, with many New Zealanders finding rowing later in life.

There are a number of Masters events held each year during the summer season.  The largest Masters regatta is the New Zealand Masters Rowing Championships, held in alternating years at either Lake Karāpiro or Lake Ruataniwha.

Masters rowing events the following crew age categories apply:

• A Minimum age: 27 years
• B Average age: 36 years or more
• C Average age: 43 years or more
• D Average age: 50 years or more
• E Average age: 55 years or more
• F Average age: 60 years or more
• G Average age: 65 years or more
• H Average age: 70 years or more
• I Average age: 75 years or more
• J Average age: 80 years or more
• K Average age: 85 years or more.