Students given the chance to try rowing on the River Cam

WHILE Year 8 pupils from Chesterton and Parkside schools battled it out on the River Cam at the Try Rowing Boat Race Day, Lara Matthams and Martha Whiting, who both started their rowing careers at Rob Roy Boat Club's annual schools outreach programme, were waiting to race at the world-famous Henley Royal Regatta, pitted against an Olympic crew from the Spanish National Squad.

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Matthams and Whiting, who have both only just finished their A Levels, raced valiantly against the hugely experienced Spanish double scull and were congratulated on their technique by commentator and British Olympic gold medal winner, Katherine Grainger.

Both girls won scholarships at Try Rowing and joined Rob Roy Boat Club five years ago. They have trained together ever since, with medal success at many regattas, but their sculling partnership comes to an end this autumn when Whiting heads to the US for university on a rowing scholarship, while Matthams is taking a gap year where she will be coaching the next generation of young scullers at Rob Roy BC.

The Club's Director of Junior Rowing, Jo Burch, said: “Lara and Martha are the most remarkable role models for the younger members of our junior squad. Their dedication to their sport and their support for each other as crewmates are second to none.

“The friendships which our juniors make give them the reason to keep going when the training and the weather get tough. These two girls will have a lifelong bond, despite being about to spend the next few years in different countries.