If you are 53 and you're birthday is January 1, you are 53 for racing. And so on in 5 year increments. In 1998 a sculler won a gold medal in the J age group. If you are under 27, and you are not affiliated with a university program, you can row in the Open category. This category is open to anyone, including masters, but tends to be extremely competitive because it attracts recently graduated rowers.
Most masters choose to row in their age category.
To row in these races, you must be affiliated with a university program, such as Colorado Crew . BCR is not a university program. Sprint races typically run spring and summer, and are 1,000 meters for masters and 2,000 meters for open rowers. During the sprint season, a lightweight women's boat must average less than 125 lbs with no single rower weighing more than 130 lbs. A lightweight men's boat must average less than 155 lbs with no rower weighing more than 160.