Four of Mackay’s dedicated rowers are about to embark on a thrilling journey to compete in the Masters World Championship Rowing event at the Beetzsee regatta course in Germany, from September 11th to 15th.
This natural regatta course situated in Brandenburg, boasts 320,000 square metres of surface area and offers eight lanes for rowing and nine lanes for canoe racing. The event will see between 4,000 and 5,000 athletes competing, and the Mackay rowers are ready to make their mark.
The team includes Jane Deguara, Mick Wohlfahrt, Richard McGrath and Therese Clancy, all of whom have been training rigorously since November 2023. Their training regimen consists of river rowing four times a week, daily gym sessions and a weekly rest day. Ice baths, rehabilitation and programs from the Mackay Rowing Club have also been essential to keeping their bodies in top form.
This level of dedication has earned them remarkable success in previous national and state events, where they brought home a total of 16 medals, including half a dozen golds.
For Therese Clancy, who has been rowing for seven years, the early morning training sessions are a particular highlight.
“At 5am, it’s like heaven,” she says, describing the serenity of the water, the chirping birds, and the fish swimming nearby.
“It’s just such a magical time of day to be on the water.”
This will be Thereses’ first time competing overseas and she’s excited but cautious about the upcoming trip. While they’ve done well at nationals and state levels, Therese is aware that conditions could be different in Germany.
Rowing in both mixed and single-gender teams, the group has excelled in various categories.
Therese herself has won gold in a single race, a double with a fellow rower from Townsville, and in a quad with her teammates, including Jane. Their journey has been one of hard work, but as Therese says, it’s all been “great fun.”
The team relies on grants and self-funding to support their efforts and encourage any sponsors to contribute, especially in replacing boats. Mackay Rowing Club is welcoming support from anyone interested in helping these talented athletes.
Left to Right- Jane Deguara, Mick Wohlfahrt, Richard McGrath, Therese Clancy.
Photo supplied
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