The 2026 Lakeland roll of honour
Race faces: The Cakeland Explore crew prepare to push off at Runcorn
June
Masters medallists (from left): Julia, Graeme and Sam
British Rowing Masters Championships Graeme Mactavish and Julia McCumiskey take silver in the mixed masters E doubles, and Sam Ayers wins bronze in the women’s masters E singles, in difficult conditions at the National Watersports Centre at Holme Pierrepont Country Park, near Nottingham.
Hexham Regatta Lewis Copeland wins the open J15 (b2) singles. Graeme Mactavish and Julia McCumiskey triumph in the mixed doubles, while Gordon Jack and Celia Whittam take the open masters E/G/H doubles. The last two were all-Lakeland finals.
Scottish Rowing Championships Sam Ayers takes gold in a women’s masters E/F/G composite quad with Castle Semple RC and Loch Lomond RC. She also nets silver in the women’s masters DE singles at the Strathclyde Country Park event.
May
Trentham Regatta Graeme Mactavish and Julia McCumiskey win the open masters D/E and mixed masters E doubles.
Tees Regatta Lakeland crews triumph in seven classes at the event hosted by Tees RC. Sam Ayers wins the women’s masters E/F/G singles, Sam Hill and Edward Copeland the open J18 doubles (b2), and Graeme Mactavish and Julia McCumiskey the open masters B/C/D doubles and mixed masters C/E/F doubles (b1).
Gordon Jack and Celia Whittam are first in the mixed masters C/E/F doubles (b2), while Sam’s dad Alex Hill, Craig Wagstaff, James Waterfield and Steve Lawson win the open masters C/D/E coxless quads (b2), and Steve enjoys a second win as part of a Tees/Lakeland composite crew in the open masters F eights.
North West and Yorkshire Explore Series The Cakeland crew of Peri Collins, Ian Stanistreet, Jayne Gissing and Jo Hedley, coxed by Erin Boyles, win two out of four races at their second Explore event hosted by Runcorn RC. Read the full report.
April
Scottish Rowing Spring Regatta The club scoops three golds, three silvers and a bronze medal at the Strathclyde Park event. It’s gold for Celia Whittam in the women’s masters F/G singles and for Sam Ayers in the women’s masters D/E category.
Nick Cowan wins silver in the open masters G/J singles, while Gordon Jack takes bronze in the same class. Nick and Sam triumph in the open masters F-H doubles, with Gordon and Celia in silver, while Graeme Mactavish and Julia McCumiskey come away with silver in the open masters A-E class.
The Cakeland Explorers live up to their name by polishing off ten pieces of cake between three plus several savoury butties.
North West and Yorkshire Explore Series The Cakeland crew of Carol Forster, Jayne Gissing and Ian Stanistreet, assisted by rower Remi from City of Sheffield RC and cox David from Windermere RC, win six out of six races at their first Explore event of the season, hosted by Hollingworth Lake RC.
Northwich Spring Head Sam Ayers wins the women’s masters E/F singles and, with Nick Cowan, takes the mixed masters E/F doubles at the Northwich Rowing Club event.
March
Derwentwater Head Hannah and Alex Hill and Clare and Steve Lawson triumph in the mixed masters E coxless quad class. Find more details of a wonderful day’s racing here.
World Rowing Virtual Indoor Championships Sam Ayers takes gold in the lightweight women’s age 55-59 1 minute final, covering 309 metres and setting a new British record. Sam also wins gold in her category over 1,000 metres in a time of 3:42.7, while Celia Whittam brings home silver in the women’s 65-69 age group in 3:52.5.
February
Head of The Bridgewater Julia McCumiskey and Graeme Mactavish triumph in the open doubles and open masters E doubles at the event hosted by Trafford Rowing Club.
January
Tyne United New Year’s Head Julia McCumiskey and Graeme Mactavish win the open doubles and open masters E/G/H doubles, while Sam Ayers and Nick Cowan take the mixed masters doubles.