Rower leads way in Masters

POWERING AHEAD: Rockhampton rower Duncan Chisholm in action at the Australian Masters Rowing Championships yesterday.

AFTER 28 years off the water, Rockhampton father-of-three Duncan Chisholm is back rowing and loving it.

Chisholm led the local charge in perfect conditions on day two of the Australian Masters Rowing Championships on the Fitzroy River yesterday.

Racing for the first time since returning to the sport six months ago, Chisholm finished sixth in the 43 years and over men's single scull - and had some fun along the way.

“I managed to take out a few buoys on the way but you get that,” Chisholm said after his race.

“I blamed the crocodiles hitting me,” he laughed.

“I've only been going for six months and the last regatta I had was back in '81.

“It's a good sport and no impact on your body. It was magic out (on the water) today.”

Chisholm, 44, has not rowed since in year 12 at Brisbane Grammar School almost three decades ago but was enticed back into the boat when watching his son, Hamish, compete at a regatta last year.

Hamish is the cox of Rockhampton Grammar's year 10 boy's quad crew.

Chisholm said he contacted the Rockhampton Fitzroy Rowing Club about returning to the water and the rest was history.

He is one of about 30 rowers of all levels at the Fitzroy club and president Robert Lang hopes hosting a large regatta like the national masters will encourage more people to take up the sport.

“Currently we're getting about four enquiries a week wanting to join masters rowing,” he said.

“We're hoping to have an eights crew at the next Rockhampton masters regatta.”

It was a day of photo finishes on day two of the national championships yesterday.

The final of the 55 years and over women's eight started the day of thrilling racing, with the Sydney University/Leichhardt composite crew pipping Swans composite by just 0.95 seconds.

In a nail-biting finish, Toowong Rowing Club were only one second behind in third place while less than two seconds separated the top five crews.

Toowong's Adrian Howard, a Rowing Queensland board member, and Paul Taylor won gold by just 0.19 seconds in the final of the 36 years and over men's pairs, holding out Melbourne duo Mark Baxter and Matthew Harrison.

The Powerhouse/Essendon Rowing Club composite crew beat Tweed Heads/Murwillumbah composite by 0.76 seconds in the 27 years and over men's quad final.

Rowing Queensland operations and events manager Cameron Allen said the photo finish camera was running hot yesterday.

“The photo finishes have come in handy on several occasions today,” he said.

Racing continues on the Fitzroy River at 7.45am today and tomorrow.

• Page 8: More photos from yesterday's action.