British Rowing rules: Age groups

Unofficial summary;  if I've got anything wrong, please let me know.


Junior

For detail see BR rule 2-3, (also see World Rowing rule 19, previously FISA rule 29, which is different)
Based on age on 1st September preceding the event, so remember that Junior competitors progress to the next age group for any races under BR rules from 1st September onwards (in order to keep the same age group throughout the academic year, rather than the calendar year). Designations such as "J16" are abbreviations for the old titles such as "Junior Under 16".

For races from 1 Sep 2023 to 31 Aug 2024:
Age group Born on or after Notes
J18 1 Sep 2005 Under World Rowing rule 19, no longer a World Rowing U19 after 31st December of the year he reaches age of 18, so someone born on or before 31 Dec 2005 ceased to be a World Rowing U19 after 31 Dec 2023
1 Jan 2006 Still World Rowing U19 to 31 Dec 2024 (but would cease to be BR Junior after 31 Aug 2024 if born on or before 31 Aug 2006)
J17 1 Sep 2006
J16 1 Sep 2007
J15 1 Sep 2008
J14 1 Sep 2009
J13 1 Sep 2010
J12 1 Sep 2011
J11 1 Sep 2012

Under 19

BR rule 2-2-2.
May compete as Under 19 until 31st December of the year in which the competitor reaches the age of 18, hence for events in the year 2024 an Under 19 must have been born on or after 1 Jan 2006.

Under 23 (previously FISA Senior B)

BR rule 2-2-3, and World Rowing rule 19, previously FISA rule 30.
May compete as Under 23 until 31st December of the year in which the competitor reaches the age of 22, hence for events in the year 2024 an Under 23 must have been born on or after 1 Jan 2002.

Veteran (now Masters)

For detail see BR rule 4-4a; (also see World Rowing rule 20, previously FISA rule 32, which is slightly different)
Based on average age of crew, measured in whole years attained during current year. [Each competitor must be qualified as Masters, i.e. qualified as Masters A].
For races 1 Jan 2024 to 31 Dec 2024:
Masters category Average age at end of year A single sculler born on or before Notes
A 27 31 Dec 1997
B 36 31 Dec 1988
C 43 31 Dec 1981
D 50 31 Dec 1974
E 55 31 Dec 1969
F 60 31 Dec 1964
G 65 31 Dec 1959
H 70 31 Dec 1954
I 75 31 Dec 1949
J 80 31 Dec 1944
K 85 /
83*
31 Dec 1939/
31 Dec 1941*
Introduced 2013 by FISA as 85 and over; included in BR rules from April 2016.
* FISA have changed this age group in 2018 to 83 and over, as outlined at the FISA Masters page; no change yet for BR rules.
L 86* 31 Dec 1938 Offered as a test at FISA Masters 2015 as 90 and over.
* FISA introduced this age group in 2018 as 86 and over; not yet considered for BR rules.
M 89* 31 Dec 1935 * FISA introduced this age group in 2018 as 89 and over; not yet considered for BR rules.

Calculator on Nat Vets regatta website apparently no longer available.


Note that the above summary is unofficial;  any comments or corrections to me please.  For details please refer to the BR rules themselves (& of course to the FISA, now World Rowing, rules where these are referred to in the notes).

Page created 5 Nov 2000, last updated 18 December 2023.

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