Rowers urged to try out Olympic style rowing boats

Six boats, which are the same as those that will be featured in the 2028 Olympic Games, have arrived in Guernsey for rowers to try.

The swift boats, two quads, two doubles and two singles, from the Rowing Centre UK, are in the island as part of a month-long visit.

Guernsey Rowing Club will host a school rowing challenge on 10 July, to give students an opportunity to try coastal rowing for the first time.

Club captain Ben Vaudin said it was a "fantastic opportunity for rowers both new and old to try out the latest swift boats in a fun and safe environment".

The club said its coaches and volunteers would put on a number of training sessions before the "fun competition" next month.

Nicky Will, club vice captain and the Sports Commission's director of communications, said the swift boats were the "standard for all offshore competitions" and "really are the future".

"Having these boats here for a month is an amazing opportunity for all our members to give them a go and maybe think about investing in one in the future," she said.

Nicky Will said she would recommend rowing to anyone, as it was a "massive stress reliever" and a "great way to make friends".

The boats have come from the Welsh Championships and will then head to the British Championships after their stint on the island.

Coastal rowing is set to make its Olympic debut in Los Angeles in 2028.

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