Royal Navy Rowers took to the skies for the World Rowing Indoor Championships

Thirteen members of the Royal Navy Indoor Rowing team travelled to The Paramount Centre in Mississauga, Canada to compete at the World Rowing Indoor Championships 2023.

The event was made up of a range of races from 2000 metre distances to team relay events. 500 metre showstopper sprints were also featured for individuals aged 13 to 70+!

The Championships promote a truly inclusive sporting environment not just with the vast age range of athletes but with the annual changing of venue to allow people from all over the world the chance to take part.

For the first time ever, Canada hosted the World Rowing Indoor Championships as a hybrid event this year, encouraging athletes to participate from their homes all over the world alongside those at the event in person. 

Day one of the competition saw CSgt James Wade take second place in the Men's Heavyweight 40+ 2000 metre with a time of 6 minutes 06.4 seconds, following an epic battle throughout and a strong committed finish as he whittled down a 7-metre leading margin. James just lost out on first place by 0.2 seconds. 

Team Manager Paul Winton was not fair behind in the 2000 metre race, winning a bronze medal. 

WO1 Mark Branson competed in the Men's Lightweight 60+ 500 metres where he finished fourth in 1 minute 34.5 seconds.

The Sunday saw all thirteen Royal Navy competitors race again, mostly 500 metre races, but with those aged under 40 doing 2000 metres.

WO1 Mark Branson was fourth in his Men's Lightweight category 60+ 500 metres on day two, with 1 minute 34.5 seconds. 

CSgt James Wade was fifth in his Men's Heavyweight 40+ 500 metres in 1 minute 20.5 seconds, but leading the way was Royal Navy Indoor Rowing Performance Programme Coach, Jim Thomson who took a bronze medal with a 1 minute 21.2 second 500 metres in the Men's Heavyweight 45+. 

Finally, and perhaps the highlight of the second day was the Mixed Relay event, where the Royal Navy Rowing Association Workforce team of CPO Claire Drew and LWtr Aimee Blanchard joined Wade and Thomson to finish in seventh place over 2000 metres in 5 minutes 58.2 seconds.

The Royal Navy team are looking to head back again next year to row for gold at what is now the biggest annual World Rowing event.