A small regional rowing regatta in New Zealand has sparked an unexpected debate about what happens when elite athletes compete alongside weekend warriors.
The Blue Lake Regatta, known for its relaxed atmosphere and community feel, recently hosted Olympic gold medallist Emma Twigg and fellow elite rowers Finn Hamill, Matt Dunham, and Michael Brake competing in a range of events including mixed masters eight, quad and double. Their participation drew an angry response from one observer who took to social media to criticise what they saw as ‘professionals rowing against part time amateurs’.
The anonymous poster accused the pair of being ‘show ponies having an easy race to boost their pathetic egos’, suggesting their participation was unfair and urging others not to support them. It was a hot take that misjudged the room entirely.
The rowing community’s response was swift and overwhelmingly positive. Fellow competitors lined up to express how honoured they felt to share the water with athletes of this calibre.
Peter Fraser, who raced in the lane beside Emma and her partner, described the thrill of briefly leading Olympic gold medallists during the race. ‘It certainly adds a bit to your own ego, to be leading Olympic gold medalists even if only briefly,’ he wrote. Fraser suggested the mixed gender event provided a rare opportunity for elite athletes to row together, given that mixed competition has only recently been included in world championships.
Karen Stryker summed up the prevailing sentiment: ‘I would have felt such a great honour to be on the same race course as them. I will happily have my ass handed to me by Olympians any day.’
The benefits extended beyond the masters competitors. Several participants noted the inspiration these athletes provided to young rowers at the event. Susan Reade pointedly reminded the original critic: ‘Imagine the inspiration they gave to those school kids that were all there.’