But now that their training is complete, four Dunedin women, with an average age of about 72, are taking on rowers from around the country in the South Island Rowing Masters Regatta.
Lorraine Drew said she and her crew had "differing expectations" of how successful they would be at Lake Kaniere, near Hokitika this weekend.
"They range from coming home with silverware and having a super experience, to not going home in a box," she joked.
"We definitely don’t want to do that, no. Let’s put our medals in the box rather than our bodies."
They were part of a team of 12 rowers from Dunedin, competing in various events, from singles to quads, at the regatta, Mrs Drew said.
The youngest rower in the team was 42, and the "most experienced" was 82.
"I wouldn’t place bets on whether we’re the oldest crew there, but it would be quite close."
She had been associated with rowing for 60 years, and others in the squad had also been rowing for quite a long time, she said.
"Some have started at high school and have just started back up as masters, and others have just continued on or started 10 or 12 years ago."
She and her crew had been training four times a week for the past three months in the build up to the regatta, and she was starting to feel a little closer to her age, Mrs Drew said.
"It does take a while for a 78-year-old body to get into the groove again.
"It’s the recovery time that takes a bit longer.
"I’m not as strong as I was in my heyday, but I’m certainly a lot fitter than most people my age, I would imagine.
"And my technique is still good, which makes up for a lot of age-related deficiencies, we could say.
"It’s just keeping up that fitness level. That’s quite important."
The team was excited about the regatta, and most rowers would compete in up to six races at the weekend, she said.
"So we’ll be pretty busy."
And there will be no row, row, rowing their boat, gently down the lake.
"Who would want to do that?" she said.
