A festival of global sport on South African soil will continue in September when the 2023 World Rowing Masters Regatta takes place in Pretoria.
The sporting event will take place from September 21-24 at Roodeplaat Dam.
Excitement is growing for the regatta, with just over a month to go before hundreds of boats launch on the Roodeplaat Dam for the first-ever World Rowing event in Africa.
Winning the right to host the event in 2020, South Africa will continue a proud tradition as a trailblazer, bringing another global sporting event to Africa.
In 2023 alone, South Africa has hosted the Netball World Cup, Indoor Hockey World Cup, World Rugby U20 Championships, and the World Table Tennis Championships.
Held annually, the World Rowing Masters Regatta involves rowers from 27 years of age and older. Races are separated into age categories, starting from those with a minimum age of 27 and continuing to crews with an average age of 89 or more.
The regatta will offer spectators a rare opportunity to rub shoulders with some of the biggest names in South African rowing, including Olympic and world championships medalists who will battle it out on the famous course.
Among the local heroes who will be in action is 93-year-old John Price, one of the oldest rowers at the championships.
Roodeplaat Dam, home to South Africa’s elite rowing programme, has been upgraded for the global showpiece, leaving a lasting legacy for future Olympians.
Rowing has been punching above its weight at the Olympic Games, with South African oarsmen winning medals in Athens 2004 (bronze), London 2012 (gold), and Rio 2016 (silver).
The regatta offers an opportunity for aspiring young rowers to witness world-class rowing on home soil and inspire them to follow in the footsteps of famous medalists.
It also provides the South African rowing community with an opportunity to gain valuable experience to host future local, regional, and international regattas.
The 2023 World Rowing Masters Regatta will feature more than 850 athletes from 41 countries and five continents. Medals will be awarded to winners of each race or heat final.
The rowing festival is not only reserved for the action on the water, but extends to the picturesque banks of Roodeplaat Dam, where thousands of supporters will experience the vibe that is part of the global regatta.
An inclusion doubles (W, M or MIX PR3 2x) will be part of the World Rowing Masters Regatta race schedule for the first time.
An inclusion double consists of one able-bodied rower and one para-rower with a valid classification.
Singles finals will be held at the end of each day on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday for the eight fastest finishers from the heats in each age category.
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