Paignton Academy students rowing to the top of UK sculling ranks
Young stars from Paignton Rowing Club impress on the national stage in Nottingham
Oscar Chambers and Ollie Higgs of Paignton Rowing Club were chosen to represent the West Region of Devon, Cornwall and Somerset, at the Junior Inter-Regional Regatta at the National Water Sports Centre at Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham.
The 16 regions were represented by 129 clubs with nearly 2,000 athletes competing. Sculling at Under 15 double sculls the pair were competing against the very best young rowers in the country.
Oscar and Ollie achieved a time of 3:57.7 in the 1,000 metre time trial to progress to the C Final just one second shy of the B Final. In the C Final over a 1,500 metre course, they did not hold back.
In an incredibly tight race, they chased right to the end, delivering a brilliant response after the time trial showing real grit, determination and racing maturity to finish second in 5:55.81, only two seconds off first place.
Oscar and Ollie are now ranked amongst the top 14 fastest J15 Open double sculls in the UK.
Students at Paignton Academy, Oscar and Ollie were praised for their efforts by the Academy, which made the following comment: “Huge congratulations to our Year 8 rowers who took on the British Rowing Inter‑Regionals last weekend! Their commitment and progress in such a short time has been nothing short of outstanding.”