Rowing Ireland has introduced a new countrywide schools’ indoor rowing competition with the first event taking place on Saturday November 28th at the National Rowing Centre in Ovens, Co. Cork for schools in the Munster region. Rowing Ireland’s Development Officer, Lisa Hayden explained, “The indoor competition is aimed at students from schools across the country with no previous experience of the sport."
“This is what is termed a Dry Row Programme and is funded under the Irish Sports Council’s Women in Sport initiative which aims to get students in participating schools active within the sport", continued Lisa. “Rowers will race on indoor rowing machines, known as ergometers, in relay teams of four over set distances. This first Dry Row event is being held this weekend alongside the outdoor Skibbereen Head of the River competition. This will give the student dry rowers an opportunity to experience what it is like being involved in one of Ireland’s most successful Olympic sports.”
“Events like this are very important to the growth of the sport, and getting students, particularly girls, involved at this age is critical if they are to remain active for the rest of their lives.”
Killarney Olympian rower Cathal Moynihan said that “I believe that the drive to get new athletes involved in rowing is exactly what the sport needs right now”. “I have no doubt that this initial introduction will attract a large number of new athletes, and who knows – perhaps even an Olympian or two!”
He added, “And with the recent weather playing havoc, at least it can never interrupt an indoor rowing event like this.”
List of November event competing schools
- Cork – Coachford Community College
- Ballincollig Community School
- Ardscoil Phobail, Bantry
- St. Gobans College, Bantry
- Schull Community College
- Limerick – Colaiste Chiarain, Croom
- Waterford – De la Salle, Waterford
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