Rowing world record

Ten rowers from Bexhill College Sports Academy have become World Record holders following an epic performance on a rowing machine.

They smashed the under 18 100,000 metres record, beating the previous record by 25 minutes to register a World and British best ever time of 5 hours, 12 minutes and 45 seconds.

Braving the biting cold conditions, the young athletes warmed up to a backdrop of upbeat dance music, getting their spirits up as well as preparing their limbs for the mammoth task that lay in wait.

Academy tutors Kieran Cahill and Matt Hellier who had trained the team went over some last minute coaching and preparation and at just after midday, they were underway.

The team set off at a roaring pace and Matt, who was anchoring the rowing machine, had to warn one or two over enthusiastic students not to wear themselves out too soon.

Each rower had to pull their hardest for 10 strokes and then roll off the machine onto a mat and be immediately replaced by the next rower. The hand over had to be as smooth as could be as Kieran explained Its vital we get the hand overs correct every time. If you imagine we lose a couple of seconds every time we change rower, over the course of 5 or so hours, that really starts to add up.

As the record attempt unfolded it was clear that all the training and preparation was worth it as the split times on the distances measured against the previous record were being reduced by the Bexhill team.

Energy drinks, bananas, jaffa cakes and jelly babies were enthusiastically taken as the team did their best to keep their strength and energy levels high as the temperature outside plummeted.

As the team got to 90,000 metres it was clear that the record was theirs. The only question was by how much they would beat it.

Buoyed on by a large crowd of family, friends and well-wishers, the students put in one final big effort and got a massive cheer as they reached their target well within record time.

Matt Hellier said What a performance. What an achievement. It was a fantastic effort from everyone; they can all go home proud now

The record breaking rowers are: Vinny Hourihane, Sophia Green, Catherine Welford, Laura Bolton, Ash Sutton, Aidan Mahoney, Joe Slaughter, Tom Hollick, Tom Heskett and Ben Slater. Oliver Stapley was also part of the team, spending the whole time ensuring rowers feet were secured into the straps.

A big thank you to Guy and all at Walkers for generously hosting the event and use of the premises.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• world
• record
• rowing
• bexhill
• college
• sports
• academy

[rohangiga]

youd think youd do more then 10 strokes each