Richard Wilden (Otago) proved you are never too old to stand on the podium at the national championships.
Wilden (50), a Dunedin architectural designer, became one of the oldest rowers to win a national medal when he finished third in the men's club single sculls in 7min 27.63sec on Lake Ruataniwha yesterday.
Rowing New Zealand historian Evan McCalman said Wilden was one of a limited breed of older rowers to have stood on the podium at the New Zealand regatta.
The only other one he could recall over the age of 50 was Tony Austin, who was a member of the winning Hawkes Bay lightweight eight at Lake Waihola in 1982.
Wilden rowed for two years at school, had a long gap and resumed eight years ago after trying his hand at several different sports.
The first half of the course yesterday was rough and the experienced Wilden held the lead at the 1000m mark.
"I then caught a crab and lost the lead," he said. "It was a hard slog after that."
It was his third medal at a national championships.
He won a silver medal in the double sculls in 2002 and a bronze medal two years later.
"It was a hard race in the conditions but I'm very happy with the result," Wilden said.
