British indoor rowing eyes junior boom

The biggest jump in numbers turned out in the junior category, helped by the former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, under the Tony Blair Sports Foundation, backing a new indoor rowing challenge which takes the ergometer into schools. It is estimated that 70,000 school children will give it a go.

World Rowing contributor Lisa Lynam was there not only to observe the action, but to take part. Lynam, from Canada, reports:

“From age 10 to 84, the Brits seem to embrace the much bemoaned ergometer like no other nation. How else can you explain a record turnout of over 3,200 competitors at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, England? From Olympians and Team Great Britain members, to school children, to grandmothers and fathers, to University students, hundreds of ergs on the Arena floor whirled while announcers shouted out exciting match-ups and a three-story screen projected the race developments to cheering fans in the Arena seats.

By far the most brilliant (as the Brits would say) event was the open men’s heavyweight with Graham Benton retaining his British title and breaking a championship record in the process. The deafening crowd nearly raised the roof to confirm how truly exciting the indoor aspect of Britain’s most prominent Olympic sport is.

And kids are catching on. The arena was full of children eager to play on an erg. Competing in team events, kids joined in by the hundreds dressed in school uniform and having fun competing for bragging rights.

This is definitely one of those events every rower must try sometime in their rowing careers.”

In between writing Lynam also raced to second place in the women's open lightweight category.

Giving it a try again, three-time British champion Graham Benton went after another champion title when he faced off against the best of the British squad in the highlight race of the day, the men’s open heavyweight. The rumour was that Benton also wanted to take the British record, currently held by Matthew Pinsent.

The tension was obvious with two false starts being called before the race could truly start. Benton, at the start, held his trademark 1:11 (per 500m split) to take the lead over Rick Egington from Great Britain’s men’s eight with Andy Hodge (Great Britain’s men’s four) holding the pace. Benton held off his competition to finish in 5:42.5. Benton had missed out on Pinsent’s record by 2/100ths of a second. He did, however, record a new open championship record. Egington finished second and Matt Langridge secured third.

Full reports on each race here.