They may have switched double oars for singles, but it was business as usual for Trevor Rush and Richard Brock in the 7km July race of the Wanganui Rowing Association's Winter Series yesterday morning.
The Aramoho-Wanganui Rowing Club veterans had won the 6km June race in their Master's G Class double scull boat, but switched over to the men's pair craft for this month's race.
Although the 37 entries were down on the 50 in June, there was more visitors from Horowhenua and Wellington, with the Whanganui River conditions good for racing, although a little chilly.
"It was cold, like the first [real] Winter Series, because previously they haven't been cold," said Jacs Rush.
Rush and Brock completed their race in 29m 27s, which was 89.53% of the prognostic time, given them a narrow victory over Phillipa Baker-Hogan, whose 32m 48s finish was 89.32% of prognostic in her Masters D Class Women's single scull.
Consistent after coming second in June were Whanganui Kayaking Club's husband-and-wife mixed masters team of Robyn and Brian Scott, with 32m 36s being 89.11% prognostic.
AWRC's Jessica Broughham had not been in a club women's single scull for some time, but she still got up for fourth in 32m 12s (85.33%), while rounding out the diverse Top 5 was Anne Kauika in her Master's Women's single waka at 42m 52s (84.95%).
Several local competitors have been invited down to the Horowhenua club's 8km 'Grunt' on the Manawatu River in two weeks, while the next race of the Winter Series is 7km event on August 14.