 | Author's Name: Richard Parker Date: Sat 29 Nov 2025 |
Rotary Melbourne member Richard Parker participated last weekend (22 November 25) in Head of the Yarra 8.6 K time trial for eight oared crews, attracted 250 crews from all States and even New Zealand. Crews ranged in age from school boys and girls to eighty year old men and women.
Men or women over 40 can compete as "Masters" rowers and each crew is categorised in 5 yearly age increments by its average age. Older Masters crews can legitimately race younger masters crews because specific time handicaps apply to allow for age differences.
RCM's Richard Parker has been training and competing with a Masters group at the Melbourne Uni boat Club for a number of years. These days his crew row in the average 75 years old category. Over the last few years his crew has regularly competed in Australian National championships but also with success in Europe, Japan and USA.
They were particularly pleased with their winning medals at last week's Head of the Yarra because their actual "raw" time (i.e. not adjusted by any handicap allowance) was faster than the pesky 70 year olds and the 65 year olds as well. This capped off a memorable year which saw them also come home with medals from the National Championships held in Sydney back in May 25. Richard describes his rowing time as the "ultimate men's shed".
