Father and son set indoor rowing records
Benoni father and son duo Pieter and Merwe Engelbrecht are record holders in the sport of indoor rowing (also known as virtual rowing).
The sport is relatively new and is beginning to attract a number of people in South Africa. In Europe and America, during winter months, all the rivers and lakes are frozen up and indoor rowing has, thus, become very popular with the rowing community and CrossFit athletes.
“The reason why indoor rowing appeals to me is because of time constraints,” said Pieter, a local veterinarian who has been practicing the sport since 2006.
“It is ideal, because you can get super fit in a short time.”
The pair participated in the third annual South African Indoor Rowing Championships, in East London, on Saturday, November 23, and both achieved extremely well on their Concept 2 rowing machines in their respective categories, setting new records in the sport.
Pieter broke the overall men’s record in a time of 6:14.3 in the 2 000m, and 12-year-old Merwe, a St Dunstan’s College pupil, set the men’s junior u-12 record with 9:31.2 in the 2 000m event.
Pieter also won the 500m event and the 21 097m half-marathon event, and received the Lindstrom Cup for being the fastest man.
He also competed in the world championships in Boston, in 2009, and was the winner in the men’s 40+ age group.
In the same year, he was the winner in the same age group, at the British indoor championships.
The Engelbrechts train every day, at 5am, at Private Health Studio in Kempton Park (the gym won the Team Points Trophy at the SA championships).
According to Pieter, in order for to be successful in indoor rowing, it helps to have a rowing or cycling background.
“You need to be super fit and committed, because it is very hard work,” he said.
“I have done most of the sports that there are, including Iron Man, endurance racing, sprinting and rugby, and this is probably the hardest thing I have done, as it works every muscle.”
He added that interested individuals can get involved with indoor rowing by joining a gym that has adopted the concept.
The father and son hope to create more awareness of the sport and encourage people, particularly children who are interested in rowing, sculling or canoeing, to get involved with this unique concept.
For more information on indoor rowing visit www.concept2southafrica.com.
