Of course I had heard all about it before, but it had totally slipped my mind why September 8 would present an intriguing time to drive in and around the harbour area.

There was a distinct buzz in the air, a sense of anticipation. As an avid sport enthusiast with an interest in pretty much any form of physically vigorous contest between ferocious competitors, it was hard to ignore the mouth-watering excitement surrounding the annual installment of the distinctly Maltese tradition of the summer Regatta.

The dramatic scenery, the unique boats, the zealous support, and the passionate rivalry all make for a wonderful sporting event we Maltese should all be very proud of indeed.

Of course we all have our favourite sports we like to watch on TV. We love to share in the drama of the game, whatever the game may be. But if you’ve ever been to a live competition or match, it should be hard to deny the magic of actually being there, in the thick of it.

The Regatta offers a very special kind of live sporting magic that is hard to rival. It’s cultural, traditional and distinctly local.

The annual event in the UK, simply known as ‘the boat race’, for example, involves a ‘coxed eight’ configuration, with eight rowers apiece from Cambridge and Oxford universities battling it out each year over a 4.2-mile stretch of the River Thames. The race garners tremendous interest across the nation and is viewed on TV by millions.

I couldn’t help but notice the similarity as the Regatta offers that same special appeal in the local context, drawing in locals from the competing teams, tourists, curious locals, and of course, sport enthusiasts. But what about us fitness enthusiasts?

Whether it’s the thrill of competition you’re after or simply an engaging activity that keeps you fit, I really can’t see any reason why Regatta-style rowing shouldn’t be one of the more popular options available in the Maltese islands to those keen on living more active lifestyles. We’ve got a fantastic biannual calendar of events to showcase it, and perfect geography that could potentially accommodate any number of Regatta clubs dotted around the islands.

Looking at the current Regatta rowers in their wide range of shapes, sizes and ages, it is clear the sport is relatively inclusive too. With such universal appeal, it’s about time we heard this sport’s praises sung a little more often.

So what’s so special about our own local style of rowing? If you’ve ever watched rowing events at the Olympics you might be familiar with the ‘single sculls’ or ‘coxless four’ configurations over a range of set distances.

While strong rowing traditions exist in many other countries, the types of boats and configurations we see in the local Regatta, however, are quite unique. The traditional styles typically have rowers seated and all facing in the same direction. In the traditional Malta racing craft, however, we see a charming mix of seated and standing positions where the rowers face each other. For the fitness enthusiast, this detail is crucial to the potential appeal of Regatta-style rowing.

With the two positions combined, we actually have a complete full-body functional workout on our hands. The seated rowers are primarily engaging the muscles of the body responsible for pulling, while the standing rowers engage the muscles designed for pushing. Technically, a well-trained Regatta rower seasoned in both positions could arguably possess a more balanced and complete state of strength and fitness than a traditional rower.

As far as the components of fitness actually targeted by the activity go, we also have a nice mix of strength, speed, and endurance. A well-trained Regatta rower should possess good strength and sizeable muscle mass to produce the power required to row all-out at high levels of performance over the 1,000 metres or so course. Such a feat also places tremendous strain on the cardiovascular system, meaning better aerobic fitness, a healthier heart, and fat loss.

I would expect the preparation of local rowers to consist of a mix of full-body resistance training exercises and cardiovascular movements, as well as specific training on the boats themselves. How wonderful it must be to enjoy a mix of land and sea-based training, getting in great shape in the gym and putting it all to the ultimate test out there at sea against breathtaking backdrops of Europe’s largest, and some might say, most beautiful, natural harbour.

We keep adding to our long list of options to get in shape in fun and innovative new ways. So, if you live in Malta, why not consider joining a local rowing club? If you love your country and enjoy immersing yourself in the local culture, then it’s certainly an enticing choice.

The national governing body of the sport has apparently just achieved full affiliation with the World Rowing Federation prior to this summer’s event, which means there’s never been a better time to get involved and see this sport grow to the heights it deserves. In conclusion, congratulations are in order for this year’s winners – Marsa – as well as all the other teams of rowers who helped bring this marvelous sporting spectacle to life.

matthew.muscat.inglott@mcast.edu.mt

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