As the world turned its eyes to Paris for the Olympic opening ceremony, we at Avon County decided to channel that sporting enthusiasm right here at home. Our weekend-long intensive Learn to Row course for adults coincided perfectly with the start of the Games, bringing Olympic inspiration to our local waters.

Eight eager participants joined us under a blazing sun that could rival the Mediterranean. Despite the scorching temperatures, our novice rowers tackled every challenge with gusto and grins. We kicked off with ergometer sessions, breaking down the rowing stroke to its fundamental sequence. From there, it was onto the water, where our learners experienced a variety of boats – from stable singles to doubles and even coxed crew boats.

The progress we witnessed over just two days was remarkable! Our newcomers went from tentative first strokes to confident, synchronized rowing, mastering new skills in the sunshine. Their enthusiasm was contagious, reminding us why we love this sport so much.

Afterwards, Nik said ‘What a fantastic couple of days, there were times when it seemed I would never get the hang of it, and I felt as if my arms, legs and head all belonged to different people, followed by times when it all came together and it flowed. A big thank you to all the instructors/coaches/helpers for their patience, good humour and enthusiasm‘.

At Avon County Rowing Club, we firmly believe that rowing is for everyone. This weekend proved once again that with the right guidance and a positive attitude, anyone can take to the water and discover the joy of rowing. We hope our Olympic-timed course has inspired more local residents to give rowing a try. Who knows? We might have just sparked the beginning of a few new Olympic dreams!