Solent University students attempt two world records

On 29 March 2011, Solent University Students’ Union is to host two world record attempts as students target more than 250km in 24 hours on a rowing machine.

Andy Hammond, 19 and Richard Boydon, 21 will be targeting the Indoor Under-20 and Indoor 20-29 Heavyweight records respectively for the furthest distance achieved in 24 hours.

The attempt will be taking place in the Wifi Lounge at Solent Students’ Union from midday 29 March 2011 and aims to raise money for the charity Help for Heroes. Proceeds from the event will also be donated to support Solent University’s Rowing Team.

Mr Hammond, who moved to Southampton from Bath in 2010, is targeting 240,619m, a record set by Daniel Morgan of St Albans in 2010. The Men’s Under-20 Indoor record, set on the standard Concept2 rowing machine, requires a speed of almost 10.5km per hour to beat.

Mr Boydon, originally of Newquay, will be attempting the Men’s 20-29 Indoor Heavyweight record, which currently stands at 257,351m and was set by Vincent Brunning in 2009. This record would be added to a rowing resume that already includes a gold medal for 2000m Heavyweight at the Scottish National Championships earlier this season.

Hammond is also no stranger to success in rowing, currently holding 500m Lightweight gold medals at the Welsh, Scottish and English Championships, beating Commonwealth Games champion Elliot Barton in the latter of the three.

For further information go to www.facebook.com/24hourrow