Latest Indoor Rowing News
Nottingham School Holds X Factor Style Rowing Boot Camp
Nottingham youngsters are being put to the test this week to see if they have the 'rowing factor'. Pupils from Dayncourt School in Radcliffe-on-Trent are taking part in a series of timed rowing challenges to potentially battle it out for a place at the 2009 British Indoor Rowing Championship (BIRC), which is taking place on 22 November. In an 'X Factor style' boot camp, each of the pupils from the school will compete on a Concept2 rowing machine throughout the course of the week, with the top four male and female rowers in each year group being put forward for possible selection to represent the Rushcliffe School Sport Partnership at BIRC, where they will be racing against over 1000 children from across the UK. In addition, the school are giving prizes for the top rowers. Chris Ballard, Partnership Development Manager for the Rushcliffe School Sport Partnership is looking ahead to BIRC. He commented: "I'm so excited that we are once again taking a partnership team to the British Indoor Rowing Championship this year and hope that we have plenty of representation from Dayncourt given the great effort they have put in this week - both staff and pupils. The X Factor style rowing competition has created such a good buzz around the school, with everyone wanting to get involved and showing their fighting spirit. The children are all thrilled to get the chance to row their way to BIRC in November and I'm probably even more excited than they are." [more] BIRC will return to the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham where the Nottingham youngsters will be taking part in what is expected to be the biggest event yet. The Championship has already made its name, not only as the UK's largest mass-participation indoor sporting event but also as the world's biggest indoor rowing event. This year, the Nottingham youngsters will get the chance to race against some top rowers, with everyone from amateur rowers to sporting legends expected to pass through BIRCs doors to race over the 2000m distance. Simon Starr, director of Sport Nottinghamshire said: "It's wonderful that Dayncourt School is taking such a proactive approach to exercise and making it fun for the children. Rowing is a superb form of cardiovascular exercise and ideal for keeping children in shape whilst having fun, which is key to continuity. Rowing Factor is a superb idea and the perfect way to get everyone from the school involved and I wish all the youngsters who make it through to BIRC the best of luck." Rowing Factor will be taking place all week at Dayncourt School, finishing on Friday 16 October, when the final BIRC team will be decided. BIRC will take place on Sunday 22 November this year and in general there is no qualifying, the event is open to everyone. To book your place, visit www.concept2.co.uk Read the full storyPosted at 11:45 am
Universities Set to Benefit from BUCS Points at BIRC
British Universities & College Sport (BUCS) is pleased to announce that following discussions with event organisers, Concept2, the student category of the championships is eligible for BUCS points.Students from UK institutions will be competing in the 'PricewaterhouseCoopers BUCS Indoor Rowing Championships' as part of the BIRC's full programme of rowing events during the day. Results from all eligible students will be extracted from the event to allocate BUCS points and medals for bronze, silver and gold in four student categories will also be available.
See the BIRC section of the site for more information.Read the full story
Posted at 10:53 am
BIRC Race Machines Available for Pre-Order
The machines used at the BIRC are brand new Model Ds with the PM4 monitor. These normally retail at £1124.99 but will cost just £999 after the event. The Indoor Rowers will need to be collected from the NIA in Birmingham at the end of racing on Sunday 22nd November. There are a limited number of machines available and they are available to pre-order online or by using the form you can download here. Read the full storyPosted at 8:43 am
Birmingham Half Marathon
Please note that the Birmingham Half Marathon is taking place the same day at BIRC with a finish close to the NIA. Runners may also be congregating nearby as they wait for shuttle buses to take them to the start line between 07:00 and 8:10 and will return between 10:45 and 15:30. Please be advised of potential delays in getting to BIRC more info can be found on http://www.birminghamhalfmarathon.com/travelInfoRead the full storyPosted at 7:08 am
British IRC Questionnaire
We're always looking to improve the British IRC each year. If you attended the day, either as a spectator or competitor, and can spare five minutes, then if you can go to http://www.concept2.co.uk/survey/index.php?sid=3 that would be fantastic. Alternatively, if you have any feedback on the day, then please send it to editor@concept2.co.ukRead the full storyPosted at 4:14 pm
Indoor Rowing Sets New Records
A record entry of 3203 competitors, aged between 10 and 84, are to take part in the 17th British Indoor Rowing Championship, at Birmingham’s National Indoor Arena on Sunday.The championship, organised and underwritten by Concept2, is the largest indoor rowing race in the world. Its status testifies to the importance of indoor rowing as one of the fastest growing activities of the 21st Century.
[more] The sport’s development is being overseen by Concept2, whose online schools league has reported a 55% increase in entries in 2007. A new indoor rowing challenge, launched this week in conjunction with the Tony Blair Sports Foundation, will involve 70,000 children in 250 schools in its inaugural year.
“Indoor rowing is great for youngsters, but offers something for everyone” said Mr Blair, whose Foundation is seeking support for indoor rowing programmes in 31 School Sport Partnerships in the North East.
A range of supporting programmes, across the UK, underline the growing reputation of indoor rowing as a modern sport that offers people of all ages and abilities the chance to adopt a healthy, active, lifestyle. It has the capacity to provide a cohesive solution to health, education and fitness issues, primarily in schools but also in the wider community.
Primary Care Trusts have already identified it as an effective method of combating childhood obesity and inactivity. It successfully targets those who do not take part in traditional PE programmes, including girls, the overweight, ethnic minorities and those with physical disabilities and learning difficulties.
Head teachers confirm that integrating it into the curriculum enables them to fulfil OFSTED criteria. Teachers have the opportunity to develop cross curricular links with ICT, Mathematics, Science and PSHE.
Indoor rowing improves cardiovascular fitness, can combat osteoporosis, and is conducted on equipment which works upper and lower body muscle groups simultaneously. New technology enables users to train and race online in a series of Leagues. More than 1,500,000 people in the UK use Concept2 machines on a weekly basis.
Concept2 provides training and education opportunities through a programme of instructor awards, school workshops, and workplace health schemes. Indoor rowing encourages activity in a range of sports, and is an effective talent identification tool. Concept2 will be sharing the experience of working with elite athletes in football and rugby union, in addition to such successful Olympic sports as cycling, sailing, rowing and triathlon. Read the full story
Posted at 5:14 pm
Nigel Stevenson
If you were at the British IRC for the early races last year, you’ll probably remember the worrying scenes when one of the competitors suffered a heart attack while racing. Fortunately, a tragedy was avoided by the prompt actions of the event’s medical staff. A year on, we’ve caught up with Nigel Stevenson to see how he’s doing.
[more]At the age of 61, Nigel classifies himself as “semi-retired”. A former cargo handler at Heathrow Airport, he’s always had an interest in sport and exercise. “I enjoy swimming, cycling and running and playing things such as squash. I’ve also run a few marathons and taken part in triathlons.”
Nigel, who lives in Twickenham, went to university in 2000 before starting a job in a gym. "It was there that I first used the Indoor Rower. Shortly after that I discovered the Concept2 website. I started off just reading the articles and the coaching tips but soon got signed up for the Online Ranking and Logbook and got hooked on entering my metres and taking part in the challenges. I found the Logbook a very good motivational tool to keep me going."
By this point Nigel had taken up dragon boat racing, so the Indoor Rower had become a more relevant part of his workout and he started to spend more time on it. When the dragon boat season ended, he decided that now was a good time to finally enter the British IRC.
"On the day itself I had a great time," said Nigel. "I got there nice and early as I was competing in the second race of the day. I had a good chat with the race scrutineer and got on my machine. I was aiming to go under eight minutes. Soon after the start however, I felt ill so I stopped. The next thing I knew I was in Birmingham hospital."
Nigel had suffered a heart attack and at one point his heart stopped beating. The swift intervention of the medical staff on the day was able to get it restarted. It was later diagnosed that the "short circuit" was a result of medication Nigel was taking and, as it could have happened anytime, it was lucky that it happened where it did with support services in place.
Nigel spent four nights in hospital. Since then he’s made a steady recovery and within three or four weeks he was back training on the machine. "I train solely on heart rate nowadays. I keep my heart rate between 65 and 80% of my maximum heart rate and never let it get above 128."
Nigel has also had a defibrillator fitted to help prevent any occurrences. "I’ve had to give up some things like dragon boat racing and doing a flat-out 2,000m piece, but overall things have gone back to normal for me. I’m really grateful for all the work that the Concept2 staff and the medical service did for me. They contributed greatly to helping save my life. Without their prompt actions, things could have turned out very differently."
Read the full storyPosted at 8:09 am
British IRC Race Machines
As usual, we're offering a special British IRC discount on the machines used during the day. All machines are brand new Model Ds with PM4s at the start of the day and come with a one year parts warranty. We're knocking £146 off the price to make it £899 pounds inclusive. Obviously this is a strictly limited offer working on a first come first serve basis and is only available to those people who can pick them up on the day of the championship. For more information or to purchase one, phone us on 0115 9455522 or drop us a line at sales@concept2.co.uk.
Read the full storyPosted at 2:45 pm
British IRC Hotel Accommodation
Accommodation is available at the following hotels for Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th November at specially negotiated rates. All include dinner bed & breakfast, VAT at 17.5%. Extra nights are available on request.
[more]
Jurys Inn, a three star property on Broad Street just 5 minutes walk from the National Indoor arena. All rooms have either 1 or 2 double beds. Car parking is available adjacent to the hotel, please note there is a charge.
Rates: £89.00 single and £53.00 per person sharing.
Crowne Plaza, a 4 star property just 7 minutes walk from the National Indoor Arena. Car parking is available in the NCP car park adjacent to the hotel, please note there is a charge.
Rates: £83.00 single and £55.00 per person sharing.
Holiday Inn Birmingham City Centre, a three star property close to New Street Train Station within walking distance of the National Indoor Arena. Car parking is adjacent to the hotel, please note there is a charge.
Rates: £45.00 single and £40.00 per person sharing.
To make a reservation please contact Carole or David during normal office hours on 01564 794305 or fax 01564 794533 or e-mail on carole@duffyworld.co.uk
Read the full storyPosted at 11:24 am
Judy Woolfenden: MBE
One of the more familar faces on the indoor circuit has been made an MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours. Judy Woolfenden received the award for her services to disabled people in the West Midlands. Despite suffering from muscular dystrophy, Judy is a regular at both the British IRC and regional race, the picture on the right was taken with Matthew Pinsent at last year's BIRC, where she competed in the Women's 55-59 Hwt event.
The honour comes almost two decades after her 40th birthday, an event that at one point she was told she would never see. Since then, Judy has completed a number of fundraising ventures every year, including the Coventry Run, BUPA Great North Run, the New York Marathon and Norway Midnight Sun Marathon.
The money raised has helped buy equipment for a number of charities including Coventry Friends of the Home Farm Trust, Disabled Living Foundation, Warwick Hospital's special care baby unit, the Uphill Ski Club of Great Britain and Disability Sport England.
Read the full storyPosted at 10:47 am