Being competitive enough to attend Worlds in Canada Feb 2023

[OGM Boxing]

Hi everyone, I wanted to reach out and see if I can get some words of wisdom/advice on the upcoming Worlds that will be held in my home country of Canada this coming February 2023. I'm interested in attending this event but I want to be respectful of competition and only go if I am in a range where I can be considered competitive.

I'm 50 and have been an athlete all my life in one shape or another. From Powerlifting when I was young to Boxing and now with Rowing. I just started Rowing last October but I'm really dedicated and train everyday with a few exceptions of course. Right now I'm mostly focusing on 30 minutes rowing sessions with added sprint work now and then.

My current rowing PR which I actually just did today was 7961 meters in 30 minutes at a body weight of 163lbs 5' 8" (lightweight)

I know the event will be 500 meter and 2000 meter and I know I will have to shift some focus more towards that. Im wondering if anyone can tell me what they think I would need to be at comfortably to be able to attend this event in a respected manner.

My thought was the following

500 meter at 1:30 and 2000 meter at 6:30

Im not suggesting that I can for sure get there but that's what my thoughts were as to where I should be if I went. I would love some honest feedback if anyone was comfortable in providing some. Thanks and take care

[Ombrax]

Have you looked at the results from previous years? That should give you a pretty good idea of where you stand.

For example: ( click on the "Results" link )

https://worldrowing.com/event/2020-worl ... mpionships

https://worldrowing.com/event/2021-worl ... mpionships

[aussie nick]

Hi everyone, I wanted to reach out and see if I can get some words of wisdom/advice on the upcoming Worlds that will be held in my home country of Canada this coming February 2023. I'm interested in attending this event but I want to be respectful of competition and only go if I am in a range where I can be considered competitive.

I'm 50 and have been an athlete all my life in one shape or another. From Powerlifting when I was young to Boxing and now with Rowing. I just started Rowing last October but I'm really dedicated and train everyday with a few exceptions of course. Right now I'm mostly focusing on 30 minutes rowing sessions with added sprint work now and then.

My current rowing PR which I actually just did today was 7961 meters in 30 minutes at a body weight of 163lbs 5' 8" (lightweight)

I know the event will be 500 meter and 2000 meter and I know I will have to shift some focus more towards that. Im wondering if anyone can tell me what they think I would need to be at comfortably to be able to attend this event in a respected manner.

My thought was the following

500 meter at 1:30 and 2000 meter at 6:30

Im not suggesting that I can for sure get there but that's what my thoughts were as to where I should be if I went. I would love some honest feedback if anyone was comfortable in providing some. Thanks and take care

hi there.

Lots of similarities. I had a brief spell as a FT sportsman, was semi pro for most of my 20s and competed in various sports all my life. I came to rowing about 18 months ago. I am also planning on attending Canada if I can get 6 months of good training under my belt and can get there in PR shape and fit it into my life. I don't believe I'll be capable of getting close to a podium, but I'm more using it as a goal to give me something to train for and to see how fast I can get. So ultimately, it's a personal journey for me, although my goal is also to get as close to 6.30 as I can

But I'm a heavyweight and you would be a lightweight and in that event, 6.30 would be very close to the winning time I'd guess. If you look at the CS rankings, the fastest 50-59 2k in the 2021/22 season was 6.28. Your 500 would be further off...the fastest in that event was 1.25

https://log.concept2.com/rankings/2022/ ... 9&weight=L

https://log.concept2.com/rankings/2022/ ... 9&weight=L

As Ombrax has suggested, looking at last year's times will also give you a good estimate, although 2021 was a virtual event.

happy to chat via PM if you want to have a virtual training buddy

[OGM Boxing]

They you both for this......I really appreciate it. Looks like Ill have to put me head down and train like its my job until October. At that point I guess ill have a better idea of where I stand and whether I should register and attend. Again, Thank-You so much for the links. Its very much appreciated.

[Elizabeth]

Hi OGM! I'm also throwing my hat in as someone in a similar boat. My background is in running (mid distance track, cross country) and powerlifting. I bought a Concept2 to add a cross-training option in our garage gym, and then transitioned mostly to erging as I rehabilitated from a running injury last fall. I signed up for the Scottish indoor championships in January due to a post here, and felt a bit of imposter syndrome - I had never been on the water and am not Scottish, but the rules allowed it. I went on to compete in the CRASH-Bs and Worlds in February, and have my sights on doing the same this year.

I say go for it. I personally like having something to train for, it helps to give me focus and direction. WRIC has an entry process where you have to qualify. You have to submit an entry with a time either from a qualifying event, or with a video that meets certain criteria. I think they want to make sure that the person entering is the same person who got the PM verification code. Read up on the process, and don't do what I did, which included realizing a few days before the deadline that my prior 2k times didn't qualify and I had to fit a videoed 2K time trial in ASAP.

WRIC accepts the entrants with the top 3 times from each continent. If there's a continent with fewer than 3 entrants, then they'll take the fastest entrant who didn't make the top 3 for their continent, and so on. If you qualify, then it's absolutely respectful to be there IMHO.

[aussie nick]

Hi OGM! I'm also throwing my hat in as someone in a similar boat. My background is in running (mid distance track, cross country) and powerlifting. I bought a Concept2 to add a cross-training option in our garage gym, and then transitioned mostly to erging as I rehabilitated from a running injury last fall. I signed up for the Scottish indoor championships in January due to a post here, and felt a bit of imposter syndrome - I had never been on the water and am not Scottish, but the rules allowed it. I went on to compete in the CRASH-Bs and Worlds in February, and have my sights on doing the same this year.

I say go for it. I personally like having something to train for, it helps to give me focus and direction. WRIC has an entry process where you have to qualify. You have to submit an entry with a time either from a qualifying event, or with a video that meets certain criteria. I think they want to make sure that the person entering is the same person who got the PM verification code. Read up on the process, and don't do what I did, which included realizing a few days before the deadline that my prior 2k times didn't qualify and I had to fit a videoed 2K time trial in ASAP.

WRIC accepts the entrants with the top 3 times from each continent. If there's a continent with fewer than 3 entrants, then they'll take the fastest entrant who didn't make the top 3 for their continent, and so on. If you qualify, then it's absolutely respectful to be there IMHO.

Elizabeth, I haven't checked personally yet but I was told by someone on sub 7 that that qualification process was only a pandemic thing and that this year's Worlds will be Open?

[Elizabeth]

Elizabeth, I haven't checked personally yet but I was told by someone on sub 7 that that qualification process was only a pandemic thing and that this year's Worlds will be Open?

Nick, that's really good to know! I videotaped my 2k time trial earlier this season to avoid a repeat. I'll need to look into this year's process.

[Tsnor]

...

WRIC accepts the entrants with the top 3 times from each continent. If there's a continent with fewer than 3 entrants, then they'll take the fastest entrant who didn't make the top 3 for their continent, and so on. If you qualify, then it's absolutely respectful to be there IMHO.

Elizabeth, I haven't checked personally yet but I was told by someone on sub 7 that that qualification process was only a pandemic thing and that this year's Worlds will be Open?

Both right. In person, no qualification. Virtual attendees qualify same as last year.

https://worldrowing.com/2022/08/02/2023 ... announced/

"Participants from all continents will have a choice to compete in-person at the Paramount Fine Foods Centre in Mississauga, a few minutes from Toronto (Canada) or join the action “virtually” in real time on their Concept2 ergometers, with the same performance metrics but from remote locations around the world. "

"For those racing on-site in Mississauga in an age category race, qualification will not be required. The number of in-person competitors will only be restricted by the capacity of the venue."

"Virtual places will be limited, so competitors will need to qualify for these virtual places in advance. The qualification details will be published by World Rowing in September 2022, however virtual participants can expect a similar qualification process to that for the 2022 edition of the event."

Hi everyone, I wanted to reach out and see if I can get some words of wisdom/advice on the upcoming Worlds that will be held in my home country of Canada this coming February 2023. I'm interested in attending this event but I want to be respectful of competition and only go if I am in a range where I can be considered competitive....
My thought was the following

500 meter at 1:30 and 2000 meter at 6:30

Im not suggesting that I can for sure get there but that's what my thoughts were as to where I should be if I went. I would love some honest feedback if anyone was comfortable in providing some. Thanks and take care

Looking at the ranking database. For your class (50-59, lightweight) 7:00 2K would be a top 30 finish. https://log.concept2.com/rankings/2022/ ... s=verified (using 2022 rankings so get a full years data). Expect the top finishers to be 6:30 to 6:45. https://worldrowing.com/event/2022-worl ... mpionships

[Mike Caviston]

Hi everyone, I wanted to reach out and see if I can get some words of wisdom/advice on the upcoming Worlds that will be held in my home country of Canada this coming February 2023. I'm interested in attending this event but I want to be respectful of competition and only go if I am in a range where I can be considered competitive.

I have competed in several World Indoor Rowing Championships, and the fact that some people finished well behind the winners never diminished the experience for anybody (winners, losers, spectators, sponsors, etc.) The more people participating, the better for everyone. I understand the “respectful of competition” sentiment. When I was turning 50, I wanted to try something outside my comfort zone and entered a Strongman competition. I was afraid of embarrassing myself and making a mockery of the sport (I was a total novice and had almost no experience with any of the events) but after talking to the promoter, he encouraged me to enter and gave me a pep talk about how beginners had to start somewhere and more competitors was good for the sport. He put me in touch with a Strongman coach in my area who gave me a few pointers. I got creamed in the competition (I was the only novice and twice as old as all the others in my category) but it was an amazingly positive experience. I got lots of tips from other competitors, the spectators were extremely supportive, and when people found out about my rowing background, they had lots of questions about how I trained for that.

So my advice is don’t let your expectation of how competitive you’ll be influence your decision about entering. I’ll be brutally honest, you aren’t doing to hit 6:30 for 2K, but depending on how effectively you train, you may give yourself a reasonable chance to get on the podium. But whatever the outcome, entering would be good for you and good for the sport.

[Dangerscouse]

Hi everyone, I wanted to reach out and see if I can get some words of wisdom/advice on the upcoming Worlds that will be held in my home country of Canada this coming February 2023. I'm interested in attending this event but I want to be respectful of competition and only go if I am in a range where I can be considered competitive.

I have competed in several World Indoor Rowing Championships, and the fact that some people finished well behind the winners never diminished the experience for anybody (winners, losers, spectators, sponsors, etc.) The more people participating, the better for everyone. I understand the “respectful of competition” sentiment. When I was turning 50, I wanted to try something outside my comfort zone and entered a Strongman competition. I was afraid of embarrassing myself and making a mockery of the sport (I was a total novice and had almost no experience with any of the events) but after talking to the promoter, he encouraged me to enter and gave me a pep talk about how beginners had to start somewhere and more competitors was good for the sport. He put me in touch with a Strongman coach in my area who gave me a few pointers. I got creamed in the competition (I was the only novice and twice as old as all the others in my category) but it was an amazingly positive experience. I got lots of tips from other competitors, the spectators were extremely supportive, and when people found out about my rowing background, they had lots of questions about how I trained for that.

So my advice is don’t let your expectation of how competitive you’ll be influence your decision about entering. I’ll be brutally honest, you aren’t doing to hit 6:30 for 2K, but depending on how effectively you train, you may give yourself a reasonable chance to get on the podium. But whatever the outcome, entering would be good for you and good for the sport.

Nothing much to add to this great response apart from a Richard Branson quote "if somebody offers you an amazing opportunity, but you're not sure you can do it. Say yes, and learn how to do it later"

Knowing that you've entered, and have to train and improve, is probably the best incentive you'll ever get.

[OGM Boxing]

Hi OGM! I'm also throwing my hat in as someone in a similar boat. My background is in running (mid distance track, cross country) and powerlifting. I bought a Concept2 to add a cross-training option in our garage gym, and then transitioned mostly to erging as I rehabilitated from a running injury last fall. I signed up for the Scottish indoor championships in January due to a post here, and felt a bit of imposter syndrome - I had never been on the water and am not Scottish, but the rules allowed it. I went on to compete in the CRASH-Bs and Worlds in February, and have my sights on doing the same this year.

I say go for it. I personally like having something to train for, it helps to give me focus and direction. WRIC has an entry process where you have to qualify. You have to submit an entry with a time either from a qualifying event, or with a video that meets certain criteria. I think they want to make sure that the person entering is the same person who got the PM verification code. Read up on the process, and don't do what I did, which included realizing a few days before the deadline that my prior 2k times didn't qualify and I had to fit a videoed 2K time trial in ASAP.

WRIC accepts the entrants with the top 3 times from each continent. If there's a continent with fewer than 3 entrants, then they'll take the fastest entrant who didn't make the top 3 for their continent, and so on. If you qualify, then it's absolutely respectful to be there IMHO.

Thank-You for this feedback. Im going to give it a go

[OGM Boxing]

Hi everyone, I wanted to reach out and see if I can get some words of wisdom/advice on the upcoming Worlds that will be held in my home country of Canada this coming February 2023. I'm interested in attending this event but I want to be respectful of competition and only go if I am in a range where I can be considered competitive.

I have competed in several World Indoor Rowing Championships, and the fact that some people finished well behind the winners never diminished the experience for anybody (winners, losers, spectators, sponsors, etc.) The more people participating, the better for everyone. I understand the “respectful of competition” sentiment. When I was turning 50, I wanted to try something outside my comfort zone and entered a Strongman competition. I was afraid of embarrassing myself and making a mockery of the sport (I was a total novice and had almost no experience with any of the events) but after talking to the promoter, he encouraged me to enter and gave me a pep talk about how beginners had to start somewhere and more competitors was good for the sport. He put me in touch with a Strongman coach in my area who gave me a few pointers. I got creamed in the competition (I was the only novice and twice as old as all the others in my category) but it was an amazingly positive experience. I got lots of tips from other competitors, the spectators were extremely supportive, and when people found out about my rowing background, they had lots of questions about how I trained for that.

So my advice is don’t let your expectation of how competitive you’ll be influence your decision about entering. I’ll be brutally honest, you aren’t doing to hit 6:30 for 2K, but depending on how effectively you train, you may give yourself a reasonable chance to get on the podium. But whatever the outcome, entering would be good for you and good for the sport.

Thanks Mike and I agree don't believe I will get that low in terms of 2k time. Ill just keep training like I am and see what my body allows. One attribute thought that many fellow athlete friends know about me though is a have a high level of pain tolerance Lets see what six months can bring

[KeithT]

I say go for it! I did the WRIC in 2019 and it was a lot of fun - that year it also acted as the National Championship (USA). I rowed a 6:30.0 as a heavyweight (50-54) and that was good for 6th in World and and 2nd in nation. So, if you got to that time as a lightweight you would be extremely competitive. Even if not, it's a great experience and you will NOT be disrespectful. I didn't do the virtual 2K the last couple years and focused on the 1K WRIS and have done well in that (1st and 2nd last 2 years). I plan to do 2K this year at WRIC but move to 55 age group. I am in the middle of some training issues but still hope to go and again encourage anyone that can to compete.

[OGM Boxing]

Thanks Keith that's good insight and feedback. I think ill see how I feel come October when registration time comes and ill make a firm commitment then. In the meantime I'm just going to keep hacking away at my sprint pace and keep logging miles for my endurance. Its hard to predict where the plateaus will be in training like this since I've only been rowing since last October.

P.S hope you get your training issues sorted out and its smooth sailing prep wise until Worlds come along.

[GlennUk]

.....and the fact that some people finished well behind the winners never diminished the experience for anybody (winners, losers, spectators, sponsors, etc.) The more people participating, the better for everyone. I understand the “respectful of competition” sentiment. When I was turning 50, I wanted to try something outside my comfort zone and entered a Strongman competition.

Hear, hear.

I entered BIRC 2010 after erging for less than a year, it never occured to me that I had to be capable of winning to enter, I assumed that merely trying the best i could to achieve the best i could. I did achieve my lifetime PB, and i never felt that anyone looked down on me either before, during or after the event.

My claim to fame (if you can call it that, )was that i nthe same 'race' as me was Steve Backley, former olympic javelin thrower, although i have feeling he may have been a few seconds in front somehow.

The point is if you do your best, no one will worry and you will have shown the necessary 'respect' to the competition.