Capital Crew Masters Go Global - The Lake Bled experience at 2026 World Rowing Masters Regatta

The 2026 World Rowing Masters Regatta took place September 7–13 at the breathtaking Lake Bled in Slovenia—and two of our own, Sue Hooten and Elissa Cassella, were there to experience it firsthand!

With 4,711 rowers from 51 countries, the regatta was truly a gathering of the rowing world. Boats, athletes, accents, and languages came together from every corner of the globe, all sharing the same passion for rowing. The racing was fierce and incredibly competitive, but as Elissa discovered, the regatta was about so much more than results.

Elissa shares some wonderful insights into what it meant to her to compete at this extraordinary event, while Sue captured the experience through her camera lens. And judging from Sue’s spectacular photos, Lake Bled provided a pretty unforgettable backdrop for rowing!

We’re excited to share their stories and give everyone a glimpse into this remarkable World Rowing Masters experience. THANK YOU and congratulations!!!

What was your first reaction when you arrived at the Lake Bled rowing venue?

When Sue Hooten and I arrived in Slovenia for the 2026 World Rowing Masters Regatta, we joined athletes at the largest rowing regatta ever staged; and it lived up to its reputation as a highly competitive amazing international regatta. My first reaction was simply how beautiful Lake Bled is. Then I began to notice how well the course was set up and the incredible number of boats and rowers.

Did you experience any setbacks or moments of doubt? 

I did have moments of doubt. When you are sitting on the starting line, I felt such a strong desire to contribute—to give everything I could to the boat and to my team mates.  I tried to remind myself that I had prepared for this. My job was to trust the training, follow the rowers in front of me, row well, and row hard.  But yes, I had butterflies more than once.

How did the atmosphere compare with regattas you had attended previously?

The atmosphere was unlike that of any regatta I had attended before. It was about people and feeling so lucky just to be there and to be a part of it all

At a regatta like this, you have to appreciate the sights, the quality of the boats and rowers, and the joy/fun of having an amazing race. If you go only for medals, you may come away disappointed. These men and women are extraordinary competitors. 

What was it actually like to row on Lake Bled?

Rowing on Lake Bled was so special. It is the most beautiful rowing venue I have ever seen. We raced surrounded by incredible mountains and sunshine, with the island church in the lake and Bled Castle overlooking us from the hillside. It was almost hard to believe.

Which events and boat classes did you enter?

I raced seven times: in a women’s eight, a women’s straight four, a women’s coxed four, two women’s quads, a women’s double, and a mixed eight. I came home with one gold medal. In three other races, the boat I was in finished only one to five seconds behind the winning boat. Those close finishes showed just how competitive the regatta was and how much every stroke mattered.

Why do you think rowing remains so meaningful as people grow older?

Rowing gives us a reason to keep challenging ourselves as we grow older. At Bled, I was struck by the number of rowers in their seventies and beyond who continue to train and compete at a very high level. Those age categories are growing every year. 

Sue and Elissa with their team

What did it feel like to see so many rowers continuing to train and race throughout their lives?

It was wonderful to see so many women  and men from around the world continuing to train, race, and compete so seriously. What will stay with me most is not simply the number of competitors or even the race results. It's the chance to connect and reconnect with fellow rowers I have met from around the world. Those friendships, experiences, and connections are what I will remember most.

Rainy weather on one of the race days