Age:

34

Course:

Rowing for beginners

Where?

Trafalger rowing centre, Greenwich

Period:

10 week course

Entry onto the course:

You need to have enthusiasm for rowing. The only requirement is being able swim at least 100m.

Reasons for choosing the course:

I have always followed rowing on television and have often been tempted to get out and use the Thames having lived in the Greenwich/Blackheath area for a long time.

Areas the course covers:

It covers various different techniques of rowing, preparing us for the water. We have three sessions a week. On a Monday it's circuit training to improve our fitness levels, on Thursdays we use a simulated rowing tank to put our techniques into practise and prepare us for open water. On Saturdays we finally take to the water.

The other students:

I was amazed by the mixed bunch of people on the course. I'd say 35 per cent are women from 18 year-olds up to seniors. Ninety per cent of the students are complete beginners.

Atmosphere:

There is a very good atmosphere among the class. It's a great friendly team with terrific instructors who really know their stuff. It's so easy to get into because of the great organisation and teamwork.

The future:

I hope to gain enough experience so I can participate in the races coming up over the next few months and carry on practising both in and out of the water.

More information:

Visit the web site curlewrowingclub.co.uk