TIM Fenemore put four years of training to the test after he took part in the European Coastal Rowing Championships in San Sebastián, Spain.
Fenemore, who trains at Draycote Water Sailing Club in Rugby and rows for Hollowell Scullers, was delighted to come home in 14th place in the A final in a single boat.
The 58-year-old defied his years to finish in a personal best time of 30 minutes 20 seconds despite competing against athletes less than half his age.
And Fenemore qualified for the A final after racing through strong offshore winds and choppy seas in a heat against close competition over a 4km course.
The course was extended to 6km for the 18 finalists and extended out of San Sebastián into the Bay of Biscay.
And Fenemore dropped back within the fleet at the second buoy before he tussled with crews from Turkey, Spain, Germany and Great Britain.
He was able to find a line through the traffic, which allowed him to maintain top speed and gain several places whilst reducing the risk of any damage.
And Fenemore then rowed 30-metres up a steeply sloping beach to the finish with each crew having to exit their boat in the waves and sprint over the line.
Fenemore crashed with rowing partner Sean Sinclair at the World Championships last month which resulted in the latter’s blade snapping off as the pair came home in 34th place.
Coastal rowing will be on the schedule at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Australia and is under consideration for the Los Angeles 2028 Summer Olympics.
