Dear 70-plus rowers around the world:
I have been in contact with the FISA Masters Commission regarding the establishment of a new "J" (80+) category for international rowing events. The chairperson of the commission, Peter Morrison, has informed me that "Any plans for older age groups will be made when we see enough entries for the FISA World Masters Regatta to justify them."
Through contact with a rowing friend in England, I have learned that several older South African rowers were not coming to the 2006 Masters Worlds in Princeton because there was no "J" category. As an 80+ rower, I would also think twice about making an expensive trip halfway around the world for a FISA Masters without a "J" category. For this reason, basing a decision on the number of older entries will not realistically reflect the potential for participation by this age group.
I subscribe to the theory that "If you build it, they will come." Accordingly, I have drafted the attached petition for submission to FISA for signing by all interested rowers 70 years of age and older.
If you are in accord with the petition, please distribute electronically as you see fit and take to regattas for signing.
I hope to have the bulk of the signed petitions returned to me by January 1, 2007. They will then be forwarded to FISA.
Thank you,
Burk Ketcham
The World 70-Plus Rowing Society
C/O Burk Ketcham
420 North 4th Street - A
Tacoma, WA 98403
U.S.A.
253-779-0152
[email protected]
Petitions: