Long row still ahead for Warrenpoint record breaker

THERE still exists a long row ahead for a Warrenpoint woman who has set a new national record for indoor rowing.

Lyn Jenkins, who set a new Irish indoor record of rowing 10’000m in 44:44.2 minutes in the lightweight master's women’s 55 to 59 age category at the Newry Christmas Market, has shared in the fact that she wants to set her oars upon becoming the new world record holder within the space of the next year.

Whilst attempting to become the person to beat out across the world would be a tall order for anyone, it is all in six day’s work for the the proud Newry Rowing Club member who wishes to inspire fellow club members to follow in her record breaking in endeavours.

Queen of the Row

“My time was 44minutes and 44.2 seconds” said Lyn.

“The previous record was was 46 minutes and 43.6 seconds. I beat it. It is the Irish Indoor  lightweight women’s 10000m rowing record in the age category 55-59. I put a lot of training and work into it.

“We would be on the water for twice a week, Tuesday night and Sunday morning. I would do the indoor rowing for about another four or five days during the week. I would train about six days a week. There is a step learning curve. I do some cross training and a lot of Reggeta's indoor and on the water as well.”

Lyn explained how after watching her own daughter enage in the sport she felt compelled to pick up a set of oars and and fly past the ducks in the Newry Canal with her row.

“I have been with Newry Rowing club for 3 years and rowing in total for about five years. I am still a beginner. I watched my daughter rowing when she was at school for many years and I thought I would give it a go. I did a beginner’s course and I just loved it, being on the water and being with other people in the boats. 

“Newry Rowing club is a fantastic club, I would definitely recommend anyone to join. It is never too late. I was in my late 40's when I started the sport, it is never too late to try anything.

“We get to go travelling to other clubs. There is a good community spirit. I would be more aerobic so I had to build up my anaerobic with strength and weights. This is what I have been working on this past year and I am starting to see results from that now.

“However I would not have been able to do this on my own as my coach Shane Kearney helps us all out.

“I got half way through and I thought can last another 5k? Then I got to the last 1k. My coach was behind me with a couple of other rowing mates who were pushing me on. I had to really focus and stay in the rhythm.

“We have a lot of juniors and masters in the club. I would like for some of the other masters to go for other records such as the 500m sprint or 2k and the junior boys and girls would be competitive and they may give some of the records a go.

“I feel good. The total amount raise for the club was £889. I got a lot of messages from club mates and family members. I am feeling really good and a couple of the junior boys are keen to figure out what kind of records they can set.”

World Record

With the Irish indoor record now safety under her belt, and not to mention oars, Lyn has set her sights on breaking the current world indoor rowing record for her age category, with there being a long row ahead in training if she is to fulfill this ambition.

 “The world record could be the next challenge over the next year, if I could shave of three minutes. This could take me another year to work on to get more training and strength built up. Every day is a school day with rowing, you are constantly improving. Considering the amount or training that has been done this will motivate me to work for the next record.”