Sarasota-Bradenton, Florida - Rockland Rowing's Competitive Adults’ team sent nine rowers to compete at the 2018 World Rowing Masters Regatta from September 27-30, including: Alec Almond, Scott Baird, Justin Bohan, Tom Chyla, Chris Hely, Leslie Horn, Kathy Kearney, Peter Klose and Ivan Rudolph-Shabinsky. Also racing with Rockland were guest coxswain Elisabeth Tapley and guest rower Andrew Kalfelz.
The competition was fierce, with teams from around the world participating. Rockland's best result was in the men's quad, which finished with the third fastest time (3:10.071) among 35 crews entered in their division (age 50-55). Leading halfway through the race, they could not hold the lead, and a desperate sprint at the end was not enough as they ultimately lost by 1.7 seconds to a crew from Poland that finished with the fastest time of the day. In their flight they beat teams from Argentina, Peru, Boston, Colorado and Florida. The men's eight also did well, second in their flight to a Dutch crew. The excitement of that race was increased when it was called back after a first start where the composite boat from Virginia BC and Potomac BC veered into the RRA boat immediately off the start because their skeg had come loose - causing their coxswain to lose control of their steering. The RRA team kept their cool and regrouped for an even stronger start the second go around - finishing just four seconds off a very strong crew from the Netherlands.
Most other RRA entries finished mid-pack - a good result considering the competition. Everyone had a grand time and discussions regarding next year's Masters Worlds in Hungary are already underway!
