Ely College hosted an ‘aspirational’ rowing event on June 8 to inspire its students and other local schools to get into the sport. 

Held at Cambridge University Boat House on the River Ouse, the day was designed to inspire students to try rowing, nurture a passion for the sport, and potentially uncover a new hobby. 

Participants were divided based on their rowing experience and engaged in a variety of activities such as boar race student athlete talks, a land-based rowing machine competition, a water safety talk, a technical skills session, and a coxed quadruple scull (four rowers with two oarrs and a cox) racing event. 

Ely Standard: The day was designed to inspire students to try rowing, nurture a passion for the sport, and potentially uncover a new hobby.The day was designed to inspire students to try rowing, nurture a passion for the sport, and potentially uncover a new hobby. (Image: Ely College)

Ely Standard: Student athletes from Cambridge and Oxford University boat clubs were also present on the day. Student athletes from Cambridge and Oxford University boat clubs were also present on the day. (Image: Ely College)

Student athletes from Cambridge and Oxford University boat clubs were also present on the day. 

Cameron Spiers from Cambridge University said: “It was great to see so many young people try out rowing for the first time. Everyone was getting stuck in and having fun. 

“I spent some time out on the launch and was very impressed by how focused everyone was; hopefully some people will have found a new hobby that they’ll stick with.” 

With funding from Love Rowing and The Boat Race Fund suported by Gemini, and a new strategic partnership with East Anglia Youth Rowing, the college recently expanded this unique opportunity to six local schools. 

Jason Coe, who heads the Ely College rowing programme, said: “It was an absolute privilege to be able to row from the Cambridge University Boat House and meet with the student athletes. 

Ely Standard: The event was held at Cambridge University Boat House on the River Ouse.The event was held at Cambridge University Boat House on the River Ouse. (Image: Ely College)

Ely Standard: Participants were divided based on their rowing experience and engaged in a variety of activities.Participants were divided based on their rowing experience and engaged in a variety of activities. (Image: Ely College)

“Their willingness to get out on the coaching launch, cox boats and provide tours alongside the general conversation was a pleasure to see.” 

He added: “This was our first ever aspirational rowing event and it felt like a huge success, with over 60 students getting an experience of rowing on the River Ouse. 

“This alsongside the opportunity to speak with five high performance university rowers truly made for a wonderful and rewarding afternoon.” 

Ely Standard: With funding from Love Rowing and The Boat Race Fund suported by Gemini, and a new strategic partnership with East Anglia Youth Rowing, the college recently expanded this unique opportunity to six local schools.With funding from Love Rowing and The Boat Race Fund suported by Gemini, and a new strategic partnership with East Anglia Youth Rowing, the college recently expanded this unique opportunity to six local schools. (Image: Ely College)

Ely Standard: Student athletes from Cambridge and Oxford University boat clubs were also present on the day. Student athletes from Cambridge and Oxford University boat clubs were also present on the day. (Image: Ely College)

Ely Standard: Held at Cambridge University Boat House on the River Ouse, the day was designed to inspire students to try rowing, nurture a passion for the sport, and potentially uncover a new hobby. Held at Cambridge University Boat House on the River Ouse, the day was designed to inspire students to try rowing, nurture a passion for the sport, and potentially uncover a new hobby. (Image: Ely College)