Welsh Schools Indoor Championships

A record entry of 584 school children took part in the weekend’s Welsh Schools Indoor Rowing Championships at Cardiff Bay Water Activity Centre, with competitors from 21 schools from as far afield as Hertfordshire, Essex and Barnsley.

Eleven Cardiff schools competed with schools from North and West Wales, as 24 Concept 2 ergo machines hosted some frenzied competition in a highly charged atmosphere.

The junior event follows the installation of Ergo rowing machines and screens in secondary schools across the country in the past few years as part of an initiative involving the Sir Steve Redgrave Trust and Concept 2. The Ergos have been used extensively and this has generated a great deal of interest in rowing and in indoor competition. It has also helped boost fitness levels amongst youngsters in Wales, in line with the Welsh Assembly Government’s Health Challenge Wales.

The event comprised a range of individual races involving youngsters from Years 7 to 12, plus races with 82 teams of four competing.  The event also featured a Challenge Trophy presented by Cardiff Harbour Authority for the overall most successful school or club. This year it went to Colmers School from the Bromsgrove area, with Whitchurch High School coming in 3rd. 

Mike Hnatiw, Rowing Development & Facilities Officer at Cardiff Bay Water Activity Centre said: "The event goes from strength to strength, with record numbers of young people coming from an expanding area to enjoy fantastic competition. There was a great atmosphere here at the weekend, and it’s encouraging to see so many youngsters getting involved in the sport." 

The event was opened by The Rt. Hon.  The Lord Mayor of Cardiff, Councillor Kate Lloyd, who said "We are delighted to see so many young people for this event at Cardiff Bay Water Activity Centre, and we hope to see many of you return for Adventure Cardiff activities in future."