What are the fastest times in rowing in the world? Well it depends on the boat, or crew type and there are indoor titles as well.
The most interesting times are the indoor titles, concept2 is the current market leader of indoor rowing machine, though rowperfect are growing in popularity and there are even machines that more closely replicate the rowing technique available. But concept2 is used by national rowing squads and most gym as well as the most popular indoor rowing events.
The fastest man in the world (over 75Kg and 2000m) is currently Matthias Siejkowski, with a time of 5:37.0, though it is rumoured that Rob Waddell has unofficially done a time around 5:36. It is also thought that he has done a sub-15min 5000m erg.
The worlds best 2000m water times are also available on the World Rowing website (commonly known as FISA); show that Mahe Drysdale has the best time in the single and that the fastest time recorded in the pair is 6:14, by the Great Britain crew of James Cracknell and Matthew Pinsent. Showing that the time scored by Bond and Meyer today was of a top international quality and was most probably the fastest time scored by a pair at Nationals in New Zealand. Water times are obviously greatly influenced by the conditions, including wind, but also the movement, depth and temperature of the water and possibly surface rippling. So world records tend to only be recognized at certain events and restricted conditions.
The NZ concept2 website, showing the fastest men and women over 2000m on a concept2 rowing machine.
You can also browse specific records on the concept2 website. Including 500m, 2000m, 5000m, 30min, 60min, half marathon and marathon records, for all ages, weight classes and sexes. Showing Mahe Drysdale is the current holder of the 60min record, at an amazing pace of 1:39.3! Which you can calculate using the online pace calculator.
