Last updated 19:44, Thursday, 24 July 2008

A COCKERMOUTH doctor won a silver medal earlier this month rowing in a national competition.

SILVER ROWER: Nick Cowan at the single sculling championships

At only 49, Nick Cowan, of Mayfauld, Eaglesfield, is classed as a veteran and came second in the single sculling at the rowing championships in Nottingham.

The GP at South Street Surgery said he is still young for rowing events.

He said: “In rowing you become a veteran after the age of 30. People up to 70 years old still regularly compete at both regional and national level.

“I have been rowing for six years now and I was delighted to do so well. It is always nice to win but I am proud to have got a silver medal.”

Cowan is a member of the Lakeland Rowing Club, training on Lakes Windermere and Bassenthwaite.

He said: “It is a pleasure and a privilege to be able to row on such beautiful water as we have on our doorsteps. We row from the Piel Wyke landing near the Pheasant Inn.

“At the moment we are looking into the possibility of finding a site for a boat shed to store club boats on Bassenthwaite.”

Cowan says rowing is also a great way to keep fit.

He said: “As a GP, I like to encourage people to keep fit. Rowing is a fantastic sport to maintain fitness, strength and endurance.

“At top levels, it is a young person’s sport but its beauty is that it is a non-impact sport which means that it doesn’t damage joints so can be enjoyed either recreationally or at competitive level at any age.”