The Seventh Indoor Rowing Championships took place at Plymstock School on Wednesday 8th February under the control of the Plymouth Schools Sports Partnership Rowing Coach Kevin Sellar and his assembled team of 20 volunteers. Over the years the entry level and standard has risen, and this year was no exception with 430 students taking part from midday to 7pm. Primary schools Year 6 raced first with the individual event boys and girls racing for 2 minutes. Lucas Osbourne of Oreston school set the mark with a fantastic 472 metre race and would have possibly broken the record should his shoe not have come off (Record 481m). Harvey Dunn of Wembury and Travis Reid of Old priory battled to 2nd + 3rd with 468 + 461m. The girl's race saw Abby Lake of Drake Primary take the lead and stay well ahead setting a new record and matching the boys score of 472 metres (449m old record). As a team Wembury scored high top tens in all the racing and secured the top honours "Champion Primary School 2012" with 4274m, Old Priory battled hard for second place 4196m and Oreston third 4193m only one stroke behind.

The senior event saw 222 students from 17 schools battle for individual, and the top school prizes, where the opening race saw the year 12/13 row each other down. Last year's winner Jacob Dawson of Plymstock, set the pace with Sam Twine of Tavistock, and Jacob Roberts also from Plymstock chasing. However; 300 metres to go, Sam twine pushed for the line and left the Plymstock rowers behind, setting a new record by 10 seconds with a PB of 6.21.0, = 110% The girls followed with Alex Stoecker of DHSG and Holly Stead of Heles switching the lead up until the last 500m when Holly increased the power and pushed home to set a PB in 7.47.4 for 2000m.

Louise Leconite of DHSG year 7, left the group behind in her race with a massive score and new record 520m 106%. Rowing in the year 8's group was hard going with Phoebe Thomas and Haydon Troke scoring over 100% but no records. Alicia Parsons year 9 took 22m off the record with a 103.04%. Jack Lester and Jade Scott both produced PB's with 100 + 98% but no records. Year 11 Chloe Brew from Coombe Dean was out to set records; being a holder of year 9, 10 records could Chloe clinch a third? No problems, the coaching from the START programme set Chloe up in front and never looked threatened. Chloe finished with 1626M = 105.58% beating the record by 45m. Callum Jones year 11 worked hard and secured a PB with 1728m = 100% In the team events, Plymstock pulled off a big win in the secondary schools' competition, beating last year's winners Devonport High (Boys and Girls) in the process. Devonport had to settle for second with Ridgeway third. The primary schools' team event was won by Wembury, with Old Priory second and Oreston third. Over the event 5 new records were set, 430 students rowed from 17 senior schools and 19 primary schools.

Individual winners

• Year 6: boys: Lucas Osbourne (Oreston) 472m, girls: Abbey Lake (Drake Primary) 472m.
• Year 7: boys: Jack Adams (DHSB) 509m; girls: Louise Leconite (DHSG) 520m (NR).
• Year 8: boys: Hayden Troke (Ivybridge) 838m; girls: Phoebe Thomas (DHSG) 768m.
• Year 9: boys: Jac McConaghy (DHSB) 1113m; girls: Aliscia Parsons (DHSG) 1051 (NR).
• Year 10: boys: Jack Lester (Plymstock) 1435m; girls: Jade Scott (Plymouth HSG) 1257m.
• Year 11: boys: Callum Jones (Ivybridge) 1728m; girls: Chloe Brew (Coombe Dean) 1626 (NR)
• Year 12 & 13: boys: Sam Twine (Tavistock) 6 minutes 21 seconds (NR); girls: Holly Stead (Hele's) 7 minutes 47 seconds.

The senior Schools now start the training for the West Regional Championships on the 6th March hosted by Marjons College Plymouth. Kevin Sellar then selects the best to represent the Plymouth School Sports Partnership at the National Junior Championships in London on the 22/23 March. The year "12/13 boy's team" are defending the national title. Any company wishing to get involved with sponsorship should contact Kevin Sellar please email [email protected]

We would like to thank Concept2 for their support with this event.