Young Plymouth rowers became regional champions as they won the South West Rotary Youth Games Indoor Rowing Finals, but there was plenty of medal success for South Hams participants as well.

Ellie Langman, from Kingsbridge, brought an individual gold medal back to the South Hams after competing in the Year 11 Girls for the Indoor Rowing Finals, which took place at Marjons University on Wednesday, April 18.

There were also two silver medals handed out to Kingsbridge contestants, one to Jake Goode-Gray, who competed in the Year 10 Boys, and one to William Cottrell, competing in Year 11 Boys.

Working in partnership with British rowing, this was the fist year Indoor Rowing has been part of the region’s largest community youth sports event and with a thriving rowing scene, the event is set to grow for years to come.

The Indoor Rowing is part of the biggest ever South West Rotary Youth Games calendar which concludes with the Summers Finals in Dawlish on July 7. Around 10,000 young people age eight to 18, both able-bodied and disabled take part in the journey towards the Games each year.

Chris Broadbent, Chief Executive of the South West Youth Games Trust said: “Congratulations to all the participants for a superb day of competition in Plymouth. There was an incredible amount of effort put in from every school.

“This is an event we are really looking to build upon with British Rowing. There is a thriving regatta and gig racing scene across Devon and Cornwall and indoor rowing provides the perfect stepping stone for young people to take the plunge on the water.

“Our mission is that more young people are inspired to make the move into clubs and regular community sport and also that others are encouraged to increase their activity levels and reap the benefits of a healthy, active lifestyle.”