For Masters rowers aged 27 and over at Rowing Australia events, under the 2025 Edition Rules of Racing (updated January 2026). Covers eligibility, age categories A to M, crew average age, 1,000 m racing, boat classes, mixed crews, handicaps and the 2026 championships.
A rower may compete in Masters rowing events from the beginning of the year in which they reach the age of 27. The age of a Masters rower is the age they reach during the year of the event (Rule 26.7).
Under Appendix 7, Masters events are held in these crew age categories, by average age:
| Category | Average age |
|---|---|
| A | Minimum age 27 years |
| B | 36 or more |
| C | 43 or more |
| D | 50 or more |
| E | 55 or more |
| F | 60 or more |
| G | 65 or more |
| H | 70 or more |
| I | 75 or more |
| J | 80 or more |
| K | 83 or more |
| L | 86 or more |
| M | 89 or more |
How the average is calculated:
Proof: Masters rowers must be able to prove their age by presenting an official document (passport or photo identity card).
Checks: at RA regattas where no other arrangement exists, the Control Commission checks the ages of Masters competitors and the average ages of Masters crews.
Distance: the standard flatwater racing distance for Masters (men, women and mixed crews) is 1,000 metres straight, compared with 2,000 metres for other categories (Rule 43). The standard course provides fair and equal racing for eight crews in separate parallel lanes over 2,000 m, or 1,000 m for Masters events (Rule 42).
Boat classes at the Australian Masters Rowing Championships (Appendix 7):
The championship events themselves are listed in Appendix 9.
Lanes: Appendix 7 says that where 8 lanes are available, a 7-lane progression is used for courses subject to crosswind or with limited transit space, and an 8-lane progression for courses not subject to crosswind with adequate transit space.
Under Appendix 7, mixed events may be held for Masters crews in which half of the crew, excluding the coxswain, are women and half are men. The coxswain may be of either gender.
At the Australian Masters Rowing Championships:
Rowing Australia publishes Masters handicap tables in Appendix 10 (Masters Handicaps, last updated September 2022 in the tables). Appendix 7 says the handicaps that apply at the Australian Masters Rowing Championships are those in Appendix 10.
Under Appendix 7 for the Australian Masters Rowing Championships:
Interstate Masters Events are held at the Australian Masters Rowing Championships and are open only to crews and scullers representing Member Associations, who compete in the registered colours of their State or Territory (Rule 8.2). Under Appendix 7 they are:
Crew grade: State Associations enter D-Grade crews (average age 50-54). If a State is unable to field a D-Grade crew it may enter a C-Grade crew (average age 43-49) with the agreement of a majority of the RA Council (excluding the Councillor of the State or Territory applying). A C-Grade crew starts with the appropriate handicap in Appendix 10 and any other conditions Council sets.
An E-Grade or older crew may represent a State or Territory without the benefit of a handicap.
Entries: no Member Association may enter more than one crew in each Interstate Masters event (Rule 18.8).
According to Rowing Australia's Australian Masters Rowing Championships (AMRC) page for 2026:
The AMRC is the National Masters Rowing Championships, open to all Masters crews of members of clubs affiliated to Member Associations, or to other National Rowing Federations recognised by RA (Rule 8.5).
Source: https://rowingaustralia.com.au/australian-masters-championships