Posted: 28th May 2013

Glasgow Rowing Club's Junior 16 Girls' Double took Silver at the National Schools’ Regatta on 26 May 2013. Helena Davison (Giffnock) and Kathleen Castell (Bearsden), commonly known as HelKat, saw off competition from 30 crews, through a qualifying time trial and semi final, only being beaten in the final by the crew from Marlow Rowing Club.

Coach, Alastair Browne commented: “After the initial rounds, it was clear that HelKat were going to have to fight four other crews for a place on the podium, and they knew that their race strategy would need to change for them to be successful. As usual, they rose to the occasion and I can honestly say I've never been as impressed by them as I was on Saturday. When the going gets tough they always seem to be able to find a bit more, dig a bit deeper. It's a pleasure to be able to work with such focused young athletes. They've learned a lot from it, as have I, and they'll be even better next time out...”

Photo by Iain Weir

Photo Courtesy of Iain Weir

The Club had already planned a Boat Naming Ceremony for June 2nd, and this will now be ‘doubled up’ with celebrating the girls’ recent success. The new boats have been purchased with support from Pipeline Supplies and Controls Ltd (Hillington) and Tunnock's Ltd (Glasgow) in partnership with sportscotland.

Like many sports, rowing has seen ever increasing interest since the Olympics, especially from juniors, and Glasgow Rowing Club is currently running with the highest membership levels it has ever seen. The new boats will allow the club to support these numbers in the future and maintain the development of competitive rowers at all ages and levels.