Kent School Indoor Rowing Championships report

The Kent Schools Indoor Rowing Championships finals were hosted by Maidstone Girls Grammar School on Thursday 12th February. The finals were preceded by two regional events taking part at Sittingbourne Community College and the Judd School, Tonbridge.

The event saw children from across the county taking part to compete for medals and trophies in all secondary school age groups. There were some fantastic results throughout the day with some winners achieving results that would be worthy of national medals.

Trophies were awarded in Individual Boy and Girl categories to those who achieved the best result against predicted gold medal times across all age groups. A notable runner up was Gregory Blanchard, Year 7, from Wilmington Boys Grammar School who achieved 99.6% with 550 metres in 2 minutes. The Individual Boys Champion was Morgan Hellen from Oakwood Park Grammar School who rowed 1830 metres in 6 minutes in the Year 11 age group. The Individual Girls Champion was Megan Williams from Maidstone Girls Grammar School who rowed 749 metres in 3 minutes in the Year 8 age group.

After the activities in the morning the children went on to represent their school in team races. With fast and furious changeovers and a noisy atmosphere some fantastic distances and times were rowed. The best performing team went to Oakwood Park Grammar School Year 11 Boys who took 6 minutes and 4 seconds to row 2000 metres.

A full list of reports can be downloaded here (pdf)

During the day there was a presentation by the school governors of the 9 brand new rowing machines that Maidstone Girls Grammar School received thanks to a grant from Awards for All. With support from the local rowing club Maidstone Invicta Rowing Club and the Henley Stewards Charitable Trust the school has seen a great influx of girls taking part. It is hoped with these machines more girls will take part in the future.

Thanks must go to Maidstone Girls Grammar School, Sittingbourne Community College and the Judd School for hosting events. Thanks to the Kent Competition Managers and Kent Sports Development Unity for supporting the events. Additionally, thanks to Maplesden Noakes School and Maidstone Girls Grammar School for the loan of machines throughout the event and finally to the schools and young people for taking part.  

Report from Kate Beaumont, CDO