Too late too little to compete?

Question
I'm looking for some advice concerning whether or not I have what it takes to take up rowing as a sport rather than just cross training fitness with an indoor rower.  

I'm 31yrs old, 6'3 and 107kg. For the last 10yrs I have been regularly cross training with weights, running and the like. My running is pretty average (5min/km for distances under 5km stretching out to closer to 6min/k closer I get to 10km distance).  Weights not so bad; can bench 20+ reps of my bodyweight in a single set and deadlift that weight for about 40reps before exhaustion.  

I've never rowed in my life and 2 weeks ago in my apartment gym they got a WaterRower with a series IV PC attached.  First time I rowed 2km and got just over 7mins (faded badly at the end).  So then tried a slower 5km (didn't bother checking time).  Followed this with a 6:58 2k and then the next day a 6:42 (noticed rate was showing between 27-30/min).  I tried 500m twice over the weekend and got 1:16 both times (noticed my rate was at times well over 50).  Tried 10km and really felt it posting 39:28 (1:58/500s).  Yesterday I did 6:28 2k and today before lunch (with a poor finish as I was starving) I managed 6:30 (it said 1:37/500m and 27 for rate).  That's all I have done thus far.    

I'm really enjoying the muscle endurance /fitnness part and wondered whether or not I can compare the WaterRower times with the Concept2 ones I have seen online?  If I can, and providing there's some opinion that I could actually do something at my age in this sport, I am thinking of finding a club.

If its not comparable and/or my times are nothing special I'll just keep doing this for cross training purposes.  I realise my height and the weight training strength is an advantage, but can I expect to see much more improvement in times with dedicated training? Or is it likely I am really only a few seconds of my best for the kind of physical shape / size I am bringing to the task already?

If it is worthwhile checking, I'll find a local gym with a Concept2 machine to see if there's any comparison should you not be able to help my query with the WaterRower times.     

Thanks in advance for the advice!

Answer
Hi Joel: It is impossible to compare results from different rowing machines.  You really need to try a 2K piece on a Concept II erg to determine where you stand.  

I'd say you have the physical potential to do well in rowing.  Your height is perfect.  Your bench press results are good too; but understand, rowing is more focused on leg strength that upper body strength.  Your run times are so-so, but endurance is more important than speed.

The bottom line is you are not too old to start rowing.  I remember racing against an 88-year old guy in single sculls (I was in my 20s) and he was only a second or two behind me at the finish.  One legendary rower was competing into his nineties.  You should definitely join a rowing club and learn the sport.  It will take a bit of time to feel stable on the water, but you can be ready to race in less than 3 months.

Good Luck/AP