September 8 - 13, 2026

World Rowing Masters Regatta

I am so grateful (and proud) to have been a part of this big event after just a little over a year rowing. In nearly all our races, Mill Town finished in the middle of the pack. There seemed to be a large spread of abilities across the board - super competitive teams with past Olympians, to more recreational-type crews. For how small our club is, we did very well. The boats I rowed in got 5th, 5th, 3rd and 4th.

We were thrilled for and proud of Theresa and Tricia and Anda and Charlotte when they won gold in their respective double races!

This entry is later than planned because Joe and I succumbed to The Virus that plagued many of the Mill Town crew and we've spent the last 2 days doing close to nothing (except coughing).

We had a day to practice on Tuesday the 8th then competition began the next day on the 9th. The course was closed and races postponed for the first 4 hours of the day as we all waited out the storm. Lightening and big winds are the only two things I am aware of that keep rowers off the water and the thunder storm went on and on.

Racing started around 11:30 and the organizers did a brilliant job coordinating as many races as possible with very little gap between starts. Very few races had to be cancelled. Joe and I kept busy running oars to and from the dock as teammates launched and landed. I did not race that day.

On Thursday the 10th, the rain was still relentless. Nearly 3" fell in 24 hours. Being out in that weather most of the day was pretty miserable, but it was made much more bearable by the concerted effort of the 4,711 athletes in attendance. There were places to shelter from the weather, but nowhere to get dry.

Jessica, Anda & Aaron rigging Anda's boat

Creative raingear: a boat wrapper

Simone from Filippi pulling a silly face - their crew was professional and fun despite the weather. They helped get the boats on the water in time, every time.

On Friday I rowed in the 8 with the women I have been training with and getting to know for just over a year. They are strong, independent, tough, supportive and inspiring. We raced hard and finished 3rd. Ady, our coxswain from England, set a positive mood in the boat, kept us on track and fired up

Kimberly, Tricia, Deb, Olga, Theresa, Ady (cox), Esther, Anda & Jessica

Thursday I raced in a quadruple scull (quad) and a coxless 4. I felt incredible pressure to do well for my crew, particularly because I was the only novice in the boats. My teammates kept the vibe really positive in the boats and we had a great time - well as much as you can when you are "dying." My favorite race of the regatta was that coxless 4. We had never rowed a boat like that together and some of us had never even been in one. Our 5th place finish was celebrated like a win (which it was)!

Quad
Jessica, Deb, Tricia, Olga

Coxless 4
Before and after the race! Jessica, Deb, Esther & Kimberly

Unfortunately, several from our team fell sick with a respiratory bug. Our coach was first and others followed shortly thereafter. Some were able to race bolstered by ibuprofen and cold medication, others had to scratch a race or two. I filled in for one teammate in a quad on Saturday but she did not get to race her single as planned.

Joe was right there and in the fray schlepping oars to and from the dock as boats launched and landed. His help was appreciated by all and his presence very much appreciated by me.

It did not cross my mind that port and starboard would have different terms over here. We had a good laugh with our coxswain as we were figuring it out!

Evidently Bled is known as the "Regatta of Death" for those on the Olympic track. It's the final stop - if you don't make it here, you don't go on to the Olympics.

A 1000m race is less than 4 minutes long but the work begins at least 90 minutes beforehand - adjusting oars and rigging, launching and warming up. Every.single.race.

pictured: Tricia, Olga & Jessica

Now that we are feeling a little better, it's off to the mountains to do some exploring. More reports from our adventures in Slovenia to come. Stay tuned!