The last week of the summer holiday heralds the start of the rowing year for Walton Rowing Club’s junior section. The annual rowing course provides an opportunity for many youngsters to take their first tentative strokes in a racing boat at the club in Sunbury Lane, Walton, while those who have started in the last year or two can benefit from more concentrated time on the water and coaching from the club’s own experienced team, as well as coaches from Cranmore and Hampton Schools.

In last week’s course 53 participants from 9 to 13 years old tried their hands on rowing ergometers, single and double training-boats, and best sculling-boats from singles to octuples. Although many had never sculled before, on Thursday the entire fleet of 22 boats plus safety launches sculled up to Weybridge for a picnic lunch. On Friday the week was rounded off with a mini regatta, including slalom races and a few involuntary swims!

Walton Rowing Club has for many years specialised in developing junior rowing; this year it had two junior quad sculls at Henley Royal Regatta, and three of its members represented GB, including Matt Tarrant, who won a silver medal at the World Junior Championships in Linz. Club Captain Nick De Cata commented: “The junior rowing course is where it all begins for many local schoolchildren. This is where Olympic gold medals will come from in 2020 and 2024.” One parent said: “My son came back each day even more enthusiastic than the day before.”

The club has ambitious plans to redevelop its site in 2009 and welcomes members of all ages to come down and enjoy its facilities.

For more information on this release, or high-resolution versions of the photographs below, contact:

• Mike Hendry This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it , 01932 248628 or
• Brian Martin This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

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