Guildford Rowing Club came away with a haul of gold medals from the Sevilla International Rowing Masters Regatta last weekend (18-19 September). On the picturesque banks of the river Guadalquivir, the Centro de Alto Rendimiento La Cartuja played host to a spectacular weekend of racing. The Guildford Rowing Club (GRC) turned heads and came away with a grand tally of 29 gold medals across the men’s and women’s squads.
The regatta in southern Spain has grown substantially in recent years, drawing in hundreds of crews from more than a dozen countries. The warm climate and long traditions of rowing in the capital city of Spain’s most southern mainline province, Andalucia, make it an ideal race for a team like GRC.
Thanks to its long-standing tradition of attending an international masters regatta each year, the club arrived in Sevilla well-rehearsed for competition, yet relaxed enough to savour the camaraderie and the picturesque surroundings.
The club was warmly welcomed and introduced onto the six-lane course by the enthusiastic race commentator, whose own godmother lives in Guildford. The conditions were set fine, 30-degree sunshine and light winds.
Guildford’s masters squad spans an impressive age range: from rowers in their 30s through to seasoned athletes in their 80s. The women’s and men’s squads took multiple golds in singles, doubles, quads, and eights over the two days of racing.
The club’s inclusive ethos and ‘one club’ atmosphere – training together, competing together, often switching squads and boats – has been reflected in the club’s results this year and in the cross-squad participation in the mixed races at this event, in which medals were also claimed. The club’s chairperson, Tori Lumb, said: “We believe in fun as well as winning – excellence without pressure.” One crew member described the weekend: “We raced hard, but also enjoyed the sightseeing, sunset drinks, and selfie opportunities. We very much enjoy that balance of being competitive and sharing enjoyment as a squad. It’s very much the Guildford way.”
The victories on the Iberian Peninsula reinforce the club’s vision that membership is not just for the young and the fast, but for rowers who want to: keep competing, keep enjoying the water, and keep belonging to a community. The club emphasises technique, fitness, and smart training, and the social connection of the sport. The wins for the masters crews reflect the longevity of the sport, shared journeys, and experience.
Next year’s international outing is already under discussion. The message for potential new members is clear: whatever your age, whether you aspire to gold medals or simply a great rowing holiday with your club‑mates, GRC offers all of that.
