News

Posted: 23 November, 2020

Record breaking entry numbers, competitors from as far afield as the USA and Australia and Scottish Rowing record times smashed, the Scottish Rowing Indoor Championships hit our screens on Saturday and went virtual ….

On Saturday 21st November 2020 the annual Scottish Rowing Indoor Championships (SRIC) went online and provided live, virtual racing – adapting to COVID-19 challenges and providing a competition format for all comers. This new format saw an entirely new challenge facing both the event organisers and competitors alike - which both took in their stride to make the event a huge success for all.

The event saw a record-breaking number of competitors and countries from around the world racing at the event. Competitors joined us from as far west as Colorado and our furthest east French Polynesia some of the furthest flung competitors getting up in the middle of their night to join their races.

An international field racing at the Scottish Indoors

“A few words to thank you for this amazing event we just participated in. Thank you so much for your beautiful organisation, your special attention for us who are on the other side of the planet. Mauruuru!”

Records were broken throughout the day with a highlight being former Aberdeen Schools Rowing Association athlete Miles Beeson, breaking Jack Burns’ (Strathclyde University BC) 2013 Scottish Championships record by 0.6 of a second in an impressive time of 06:01.3.

Miles Beeson just after breaking the 2km record

Louise Wymer of Wallingford Rowing Club had a very successful day completing a clean sweep of wins in the W50-59 events, setting Championship records in all of her events the 2k, 1k and 500m.

Zoltán Bogár, international competitor from Hungary and a previous record holder in the Men’s 40-49 500m category went even faster this year beating his own record to set a new Men’s Open 500m record with 1:16.5.

A special mention must go to Valerie Coleman in the 90-99 women’s 2000m and 500m. A highlight for many during the day was the 92 year-olds impressive feat competing in two events.

To find the full results from the 2020 Scottish Rowing Indoor Championships, please visit: SRIC Results Page

And it wasn’t just the competitors who went online – a big shout out to the team of volunteers from around the UK who joined their commentating, production and marshalling teams from home … they held their nerves when the technology presented challenges and shared the smiles and virtual high fives as the racing unfolded – a big Scottish Rowing thanks to all.

Jen and Simon keeping everyone on track from 'race control'

Next up for many indoor rowers across the globe is the British Rowing Indoor Championships, BRIC Online, which is being held on the 5th and 6th of December. Given the level of competition at SRIC 2020, we know the event will be of a high standard and a great day all round. Best of luck to all competing. ( entries close Mon. 23rd Nov. at 23.59 – click here to see more / enter ..  )