The 2026 Lakeland roll of honour

Frost and mist on Derwentwater Head morning. Photo: Janet Jones

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.