Blue Peter presenter Abby Cook takes on British Rowing Club Championships

After just eight weeks of rowing, Abby travelled to Nottingham to join the thousands of competitors from around the country. This is her rowing story

Two months ago, Blue Peter presenter Abby Cook had never been out rowing. Living and working in Salford Quays meant she saw plenty of rowers out and about but never considered giving the sport a go.

After eight weeks of training, including a masterclass with the Great Britain Paralympic Team, Cook was ready to rock and roll for her latest Blue Peter Challenge.

“I got into rowing in a way that was a little bit odd,” said Cook with a laugh.

I got chased down at Salford Quays by Will Stockton, the lovely Will Stockton, who asked if I had ever tried rowing. I immediately messaged the producer at Blue Peter and said, “We’ve got to make this into a thing; we have to film this.’

“I’ve genuinely fallen in love with rowing during the process. It started out as a really fun challenge for Blue Peter, and it’s now turned into a fantastic hobby with so many lovely people.”

After being introduced to the sport by Stockton, the Paralympic Pathway Coach, the 42nd Blue Peter presenter has been training out of Agecroft Rowing Club. Despite being diagnosed with Ehlers–Danlos syndrome from birth, Cook is no stranger to sport. A swimmer and a runner when she was younger, Cook later turned to wheelchair racing.

The Scot is also the first wheelchair-using presenter in the iconic programme’s history.

For Cook, the rowing community has had the biggest impact on her.

“Everyone has been so patient and very generous with their time explaining everything. You get to go really fast, and you get to see lots of wildlife too! I’ve seen lots of ducklings here today; there’s plenty of geese and swans at Salford Quays, the coots, the herons, I’m obsessed with birds now from it!

“I love the community most. You go fast, everyone is cheering you on to go fast, and every single person I’ve met has been so welcoming.”

As part of her training, the Blue Peter presenter spent an afternoon with 2024 Paralympic Champions Benjamin Pritchard and Frankie Allen. Cook travelled to the National Training Centre at Caversham, and Paralympic Head Coach Nicola Benavente was on hand to oversee some last-minute training and fine-tuning ahead of the Club Championships.

“They are so unreal and actual machines in the best way! They are so inspiring.

“When I was younger, I was told I would never leave the house by myself because my joints dislocate and I find it hard to push my wheelchair. Now, I’m here doing this, and I feel like that’s such a universal experience for so many disabled people.

“We’re told that we can’t do things, and we like to prove them wrong. It’s so amazing seeing these people reach the absolute pinnacle, going to the Paralympics and winning gold medals after they were told they couldn’t row. They were unreal, and they’re so strong!”

Credit: AllMarkOne

While representing Agecroft Rowing Club at the British Rowing Club Championships, Cook will be wearing a custom-made Blue Peter AIO unisuit. It’s her first time racing in Nottingham, and she hopes plenty of others will follow suit and get involved with the sport.

“It’s lovely here. It’s the most wholesome event. Everyone is so kind, and there’s such a buzz about it. I have a lot to learn coming here; I’m asking a lot of questions, but everyone has been so lovely, and I’m really enjoying it.”

“I’d recommend anyone to give rowing a go. You’ll have a good session, a bad session, but then you’ll learn so much. It’s such a rewarding sport, and if you don’t give it a go, you’re not going to know what achievements you could accomplish. I’d highly recommend it!”

After the final, which was Cook’s first ever 2000m, she was buzzing. And not just because she was crowned British Champion.

“It was so much fun, I had a great time!

“I feel like this could not have happened without the brilliant coach Matt [Lord]. He is absolutely wonderful. If it wasn’t for him, I’d still be going around in circles!

“I’ve been on a very short journey, but it’s been such an amazing one. It’s been so much fun. I think that I’ve had fun today, but I’ve had fun for the past eight weeks. The past two months of just having the best time out on the water. It’s such an amazing sport.”