News & Press archive for August, 2009

Over 240 young people across London have enjoyed learning to row with London Youth Rowing over the past three weeks.

Each course lasts one week and is structured to introduce all the basic elements required to become a novice rower ready to join a local club.

The course begins with water safety, using indoor machines, a tour of the boathouse and introduction to equipment and leads onto rowing in tanks if available, and eventually on to the water. The climax of the week comes when centres across London get together on the Friday to race a 250m Regatta at the London Regatta Centre.

This year saw more spectators at the Friday Regattas than ever before including family, friends and pets!

The first experience on the water require some courage, but most participants thought the effort was worth it, “That session was WELL fun!”.

The LYR coaches involved at each centre were delighted with how the programme went,”It was a great feeling to see how the young people progressed far enough to be able to get on the water themselves with a week, having never touched a boat before,” Taiwo Sodeyi, LYR Community Coach for Havering and Barking & Dagenham.

As well as the t-shirts that each centre was able to design themselves, other favourite elements of the courses included, “making lots of new friends” and “improving fitness”.

Penny Cuthbert, who was responsible for organising the three weeks said, ” This year we are incredibly excited about the rapid progress the young people have shown and their enthusiasm for continuing in the sport! We hope to see many of them in September.”

For those who were not fortunate enough to secure a place on the Summer Course and even those who were, you are invited to a club open day on the 6th September. This open day is designed to be an introduction to joining a junior club and will include meeting the coaches, having a tour of the boathouse, seeing the equipment and possibly even getting on the water! For more information please contact pcuthbert@londonyouthrowing.com for more details or check us out on facebook.

The first summer course regatta of 2009 saw record numbers of supporters including parents, friends and pets at the London Regatta Centre on Friday 31st July.

Young people demonstrated their new found sculling skills by competing  in teams of four. Points were added up from various events and prizes were handed out at a ceremony on Friday afternoon.

‘We’re really pleased that not only has there been a great turnout of kids, there has been huge support from friends and family as well!’ said Penny Cuthbert, Summer Course organizer.

LYR run summer courses at four venues across London throughout the school summer holidays for young people between the ages of 11 and 18. Watch this space for more news on the courses!