Olympics Venue Inspires Pupils At Rowing Competition 

Pupils from South Bucks schools had a fantastic day at the recent South Bucks Schools Indoor Rowing Championships. The London 2012 Olympic venue at Eton College Rowing Centre, Dorney, played host for a second year to this South Bucks District Council event which saw 96 young people from six schools compete against each other in sixteen exhilarating races.

16 pupils from The Beaconsfield School, Beaconsfield High, Burnham Upper, Burnham Grammar, Chalfont Community College and Alfriston School formed teams of 8 boys and 8 girls, or 16 girls if from an all girls school. The competition format on the day consisted of 8 races of 500 metres with two competitors from each school competing together, and a further eight relay races for teams of between four and eight competitors. The length of each relay race had an Olympic significance, with the 505 metre race representing the number of nations, 205, plus the number of events; 305. All races were displayed live on a large screen with each school represented by a virtual ‘boat’ enabling them to see their position in the race as they progressed down the course.

Councillor Anita Cranmer, South Bucks District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community, said ‘unbelievably this year’s event even exceeded last year’s. It was fantastic seeing so many young people enjoying such a healthy undertaking’. Councillor Alan Walters, Chairman of the Council, added that ‘he was impressed by the high standard of competition with almost all of the races having close run finishes’.

The results from the day had The Chalfont Community College winning both the Boys Cup and the Overall Cup and Beaconsfield High School winning the Girls Cup for combined 500 metre race results.