Last Friday saw the latest edition of London Youth Rowing's National Indoor Rowing Championships. Shanklin Sandown Rowing Club have built quite a legacy at the event over the years, earning three national titles amongst other excellent results. The weight of history however did nothing to prevent Shanklin's junior squad having an exceptional day which was headlined by three medals and several PB's.
Following the traditional format, it was the Year 12 & 13 events that opened the event, with Daisy Faithfull and Jamie Gamble competing for the club. Daisy took to her ergo first and displayed the same sort of domination that earned her two championships in the 2017 season, to win her heat. This heat win would prove to enough to win her event outright and Daisy retained her NJIRC title.
Shortly afterwards it was the turn of Jamie. Rowing exceptionally well and leaving no stone unturned Jamie was able to achieve a personal best time which left him in medal contention. After all other heats were finished it was confirmed that Jamie too had earned himself a medal, finishing in third place to double the clubs medal haul for the day before lunchtime.
Following the early success it was Kayleigh Batchelor and Esme Walters turn on the rowing machines, as they competed in their first ever NJIRC. Both rowers earned personal best times in excellent fashion with Kayleigh also taking the win in her heat. Another tense wait for results to be collated proved to be worth it, as Kayleigh took gold with Esme finishing a fantastic 117th in the Year 7 girls event which contained almost 200 rowers!
Rush hour for Shanklin would be the Year 9 events, with four rowers competing from this age group. In the girls event Rachael Debenham had a great row to win her heat, which eventually saw her emulate her 11th place from 2017. The boys event saw Ethan Walters, Riley Horrix and Owen Denness all rowing in the same heat. All three rowed great races with Riley finishing 16th, Ethan 25th and Owen 77th in another packed event of over 150 athletes.
Lottie Tapsell ensured the long wait for her race was worth it as she performed brilliantly in the Year 10 girls event. In her debut at NJIRC the occasion did not get the better of Lottie who finished on the podium of her heat, eventually placing 5th, only 3 metres off the silver medal.
The event drew to its conclusion for Shanklin in brilliant fashion as Sophie Atkin made the most of her 6 minute row in the Year 11 girls event. With everyone in the event in one heat, Sophie rowed fantastically to finish 11th.
An collectively brilliant performance from the Junior squad ensured that the early start and late ferry home was worth it. The club would like to extend their thanks to Sandown Bay Academy for once again supporting an event that is during school time and to London Youth Rowing and their volunteers, without whom such a fantastic and unique event would not be possible.