Vivienne Irving
That was where I won my first medal. I was on
cloud nine that I beat an American and a Russian.
I was quite new to that kind of thing,” says Irving,
whose coach at the time – Theresa Luke, 1999
World Champion in the pair – helped lift her
game against international competition.
at the 2008 world rowing masters regatta in lithuania, vivienne irving of Canada
captured an amazing eight golds over three days of racing. the 74-year-old overflows
with enthusiasm about the experience, especially her final mixed double race with
Germany’s manfred Brandt, 70. “the adrenalin was just going. we were in the zone.
i wish all races were like that,” says the mother of three, and grandmother of two.
Considering Irving’s impressive collection of golds
at dozens of masters races since she started racing
in 2001, it’s hard to believe she shied away from
competition. At age 65, she joined a corporate
rowing programme and was instantly hooked.
But then it took two years before entering her
first regatta.
Irving first rowed in a lagoon on the Juan de
Fuca Strait (between Canada and the USA) before
moving to Elk Lake, also home to the Canadian
men’s team. Her first race however was an
unnerving experience that left her in tears.
“Having a little success eggs you on,” says the
retired operating room nurse who was no
stranger to competition. “I had been playing
squash competitively for 30 years and had the
urge to improve that. I went to the gym and
liked the erg. I’ve always admired rowers and was
always a fan watching the Oxford-Cambridge
boat race.”
“I’d never been on the lake before. It looked so
huge. We had a floating start. I was late and called
out by the official. When the race started I pulled to
port. I was in lane two and ended up in lane six. The
official waved the white flag so I stopped because
I thought I’d been disqualified. I was in tears.”
Irving continues to work with current coach
Aalbert Van Schothorst eyeing the 2009 World
Rowing Masters Regatta in Vienna, Austria. “It’s
rewarding to work with a well-rounded athlete
like Vivienne,” comments Van Schothorst.
“She pays attention to the details and
strives constantly to improve her
stroke and technique. Outside
of rowing, she also engages a
private weight training coach.
She has the power to move a
hull exceptionally well.”
Under the sweet smile and silver hair, Irving shows
a drive like any other world-class oarswoman.
“When you are in a race, and really winning
outright, that’s exhilarating. Having personal best
times and beating younger rowers – that’s been
very satisfying.”
She eventually ended up crossing the line with
big cheers and didn’t let the experience prevent
her from racing again. A member of Victoria City
Rowing Club, Irving remembers her breakthrough
to the international scene at the World Masters
Games in Edmonton in 2005 where she won
three golds, including one in the women’s single
sculls.
“I caught the enthusiasm of the other rowers
going and didn’t want to miss the opportunity.
“I’ve got room to improve
still,” responds Irving.
“I just love it. If you had
told me a few years ago
I’d be getting up early
to row in the cold and
rain and doing Saturday
morning time trials, I
wouldn’t have believed it.”
