‘Oarsome’ CDU to host indoor rowing championships

Rowing enthusiasts of all ages are set for an “oarsome” weekend when Charles Darwin University hosts Northern Territory competitors as part of the Australian Indoor Rowing Championships this Sunday. 

The CDU Wellness Centre is one of eight venues Australia-wide, which will see rowers racing virtually against other competitors from across the nation.  

Run by the College of Health and Human Sciences’ Exercise and Sport Science staff and students, competitors will use electronic rowing machines plugged into laptops to race virtually live across a range of distances. 

CDU PhD candidate Lee Harrop, who is the NT event coordinator, said she was expecting a diverse group of competitors to take part in the competition. 

“Age categories range from under 14 years to 90-94 years,” she said.

“It’s the first time the NT has hosted the event and we’ve had an incredible amount of interest.  

“The response has been from a wide age group especially mature adults who have come to the sport for not only the health and fitness benefits but also for the opportunity to compete with their peers in a fun and supportive environment.” 

There will be four race categories as part of the event: 500m Open, Lightweight and Para (Men’s and Women’s); 1000m Open, Lightweight and Para (Men’s and Women’s); 2000m Open, Lightweight and Para (Men’s and Women’s) and 2000m 4 Person Team Relay (Men’s, Women’s and Mixed). 

National Championship medals will be issued to the top three finishers in Australia in each category. 

A donation of $5 from each entry will be donated to the Cancer Council Australia as part of the competition. 

The NT event is supported by Mix 104.9FM.