IN AN especially poignant moment a group of Whanganui veterans were awarded medals for their bravery and courage on the water at the Bankstream Legion Masters Rowing Regatta on Lake Rotoroa in Hamilton on Saturday.
With Anzac Day this year falling on a Monday, the entire weekend had an Anzac feel about it, so for a small group of 10 Aramoho Wanganui Rowing Club masters to bring home medals was an especially moving experience.
These nine rowers and one coxswain teamed up to compete in 17 races, winning six gold, four silver and five bronze.
Racing was delayed an hour with a very heavy fog making visibility impossible, however once the fog lifted, racing commenced under ideal water conditions in stark contrast to last year's event which had to be cancelled due to bad weather.
Masters rowing has become stronger every year with the highest number of competitors for this regatta entering.