Masters’ Squad

Sally Pollok-Morris Reading has a large number of members who qualify as “Masters” (27 year of age and over) and regularly sends crews to major events in Open, Women’s and Masters’ categories. The current Masters squad comprises over 30 members with ages ranging from 40 to 75+. In 2011, we had several very successful crews:

Women’s B single sculler Sally Pollok Morris winning at the World Masters’ Regatta in Poznan and the Scullers’ Head on the Thames Tideway,

Women’s C Double sculls wins at Henley Masters Regatta;

Womens’ B Pair at the Pairs’ Head on the Thames Tideway;

Womens’ C Quadruple Scull at the Masters’ Fours Head on the Thames Tideway;

Not to be outdone the Men achieved some notable victories at National and International events including:

Three Gold Medals at the National Masters Regatta in June, the D coxless four, a G pair winning the G/H pairs event and a G coxless four winning the G/H category as well;

A win in the D coxless fours and the narrowest of defeats in the final of the G Eights at Henley Masters;

A Gold Medal at the World Masters for the G coxed four, and the same crew winning the combined G and H event at the Veterans Fours Head on the Thames Tideway; and

The G pair also won their category (a combined E, F, G and H event) at the Pairs’ Head on the Thames Tideway.

D4- National Championship winning 4 Jock, Matt, Tommy and Clive The summer events are normally raced over a 1,000 metre course, whilst the winter head races vary from about 3,000 metres up to the “Championship” or Boat Race, course on the Thames from Mortlake to Putney.

This year Reading are aiming to build a stronger ‘young’ Masters squad, roughly Masters A/B/C/D (ages 27-55) to complement the already strong Masters E/F/G/H section (ages 55 to 70+). For the coming Head season, (2011-12) we hope to have 3 men’s Masters’ Eights and/or 3-4 men’s Masters’ Fours (and hopefully some women’s Masters boats, too) at all the major Head races. Hopefully, this momentum can carry into the Regatta season with similar numbers of boats entered at Henley Masters and the Masters’ National Championships. Some members are already planning for the World Masters in Duisberg, Germany in September 2012.

The main high-profile events that are open specifically to masters are: The Vesta Veterans 8s Head of the River in March, the Masters National Championships in June, Henley Masters Regatta in July, the FISA World Masters in September and the Veterans 4s Head of the River in November.

However it is not necessary to be highly competitive to enjoy rowing in the Masters’ Squad at Reading and we welcome newcomers as well as those who are not wishing to race but just enjoy rowing on one of the finest reaches for rowing on the Thames. We have 4.5 miles of water between Caversham and Mapledurham Locks with abundant wildlife to observe whilst resting between pieces!

Masters’ Squad

Masters’ Vice Captain – Miro Schonauer

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