After a successful States campaign in April, four rowers from the Mackay Rowing Club travelled to Sydney to compete in the 2023 Australian Masters Rowing Championships at the start of June, again returning with a bevy of medals.
Jane Deguara, Therese Clancy, Richard McGrath and Mick Wohlfhart raced against the best in the country at the Championship held from June 1 to 4 Sydney International Regatta Centre.
Ms Deguara and Ms Clancy kicked off their campaign with a silver medal in a quad scull with two competitors from Brisbane, missing out on the gold medal by 0.7 seconds.
After the first day, however, Ms Deguara unfortunately fell ill.
“I had to pull out of my singles race, which was very disappointing,” she said.
Ms Clancy did plenty to fly the Mackay flag in her first national championship, winning gold for her age group in a highlight for the club.
“Therese did extremely well to win gold in her single race for Mackay,” Ms Deguara.
“We’re a small club, so that’s just amazing.”
Ms Clancy earned herself a second gold medal, teaming up with a woman from Townsville in a double scull.
Ms Deguara was determined to be well enough for her double race with Ms Clancy, saying it’s the one they really trained for.
“On the last day, we had a heat and a final and I honestly didn’t know if I’d be able to row but I had a go, and we won our heat and came second in the final,” she said.
“We were so happy with it, it was a really good effort.”
Using the rowing course built for the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, Ms Deguara had no complaints about the competition or the facilities.
“It was absolutely amazing because everything was perfectly set out, launching and coming back, it’s just a beautiful facility,” she said.
“The competition is getting tougher every year, which is really nice to see.
“It’s like any sport, the masters are getting fitter and fitter in older age groups.”
Ms Deguara urges people of all ages to contact Mackay Rowing Club to find out more about getting involved.
“It’s such a good sport because it doesn’t hurt anything,” she said.
“It’s a really good sport for people who are getting old and who want to work hard at sport.
“Because of where we row on the river, there’s nothing that can hurt you and it’s very good for the mind.”
Find Mackay Rowing Club on Facebook for more information.
Therese Clancy and Jane Deguara won a slew of medals at the Australian Masters Rowing Championships in June. Photo supplied: Mackay Rowing Club
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