I took up rowing aged 49 after seeing a picture in a national newspaper of a woman in a single scull – I fancied that! I was living and working in Hertfordshire at the time, I knew there was a rowing club in Broxbourne, near to my place of work. I phoned them, they had a learn to row course starting in two weeks, and even better, a place available. I haven’t looked back since. It took a while for me to emulate the woman in the newspaper photo, but I have been sculling for 10 years now, it is an excellent form of exercise. A single scull is ideal for me as I can have a rest if I want to – no pressure. I don’t compete, not because I am too old, I just don’t think I have a physically competitive streak. I did learn to cox though, and have coxed a men’s eight in races on the Thames and at Chester – very exciting, I had to take the corners on the River Lea like a formula one driver (and I did it in the dark). When I moved to Settle in North Yorks I investigated local rowing clubs and Lancaster John O’Gaunt suited me best, plenty of club boats, friendly members and lots of water to row on.
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