There were a record number of entrants from all over the UK with over 500 individuals competing in 41 races with participants from rowing clubs, universities, schools, gyms and indoor rowing clubs. It is certainly a sport for all ages, ranging from boys and girls U11s through to Over 60s. Racing was well organised with races taking place on 20 indoor rowing machines in front of a large cinema sized screen showing rowers and spectators the race order as it was happening.

Three members from Berwick ARC competed. Phil Craze was first out for Berwick in the Men's 1000m HWT age 30-39 category. It was a strong field and Phil's two main opponents, one from HMS Vanguard and the other from Marine Tec University (Russia), taking him off the start. He made steady progress and managed to claw some of the distance back but not quite enough, finishing with a bronze medal in 3:01.0.

His next race was the Men's HWT Open 2000m. This event was the largest of the day with 41 all competing for a medal position. Phil finished 14th with a time of 6:38.3.

Alison Inglis and Hilary Cairns were up next in the Women's 1000m HWT age 30-39 category. This was a difficult race for both of them as they normally row together not against each other. Alison led the race throughout and finished in the gold medal position with a personal best over the distance of 3:39.9. The silver medal position was hotly contested but Hilary managed to stay focused and pulled ahead of her opponent finishing strongly with a time of 3:46.6.

Alison and Phil joined team members from AEGON UK in the men and women's team relay events. The event was rowed over 2000m with teams of four rowers jumping on and off as many times as they like. The men's team led from the start with swift and very well organised change-overs, overhauling their opponents from Aberdeen BC and HMS Vanguard to win the gold medal position.

Meanwhile, the girl's team did incredibly well, considering they had only met up on the day. They battled for silver medal position with the Inverness composite crew who were stronger through to the finish, giving the girls a justifiable bronze medal.

The last events of the day were the men's and women's Open 500m sprints. It sounds a short distance but it is frantic and very intense.
First up was Alison, she powered off the start which put her in second position which she maintained throughout, piling the pressure on the much younger opponent from Aberdeen BC. Alison finished with a personal best of 1:42.5 and the silver medal position.

The atmosphere was very tense for the last race of the day. Phil was again up against some stiff competition, he put in a tremendous effort but was no match for the GB squad rower from Strathclyde University, finishing in fifth position in 1.24.3. Overall a tremendous achievement for all at Berwick ARC.