Page 17 - QARANC Vol 16 No 1 2018

THE GAZETTE QARANC 15
Regional Command Indoor Rowing Championships
On Wednesday 31 May 2017 Cpl Wichaisri, SAC Lansley, Pte Walmsley, NN(S) Ewels, Pte Stephen and I represented the Department of Healthcare Education (DHE) in the Regional Command Indoor Rowing Championships. The day was enjoyable and a fantastic success for all who competed.
We had already been competing in the Regional Command Indoor Rowing League which allows all regular and reserve soldiers to compete against each other on any Concept 2 indoor rowing machine, in any gym, at any convenient time. The league ran from September 2016 to March 2017 and there was a new challenge each month; for example, the September challenge was to complete 6000 metres in the fastest time possible on an indoor rowing machine.
DHE performed well in the Regional Command Indoor Rowing League with SAC Lansley winning 2nd place for the Female Heavyweight category and Cpl Wichaisri winning 3rd place for the Female Lightweight category. Individuals’ scores for each month were collated for a unit’s overall score.
Prize winners at the Regional Command Rowing Championships
DHE won 1st place for the Female Heavyweight category and 1st place for the Female Lightweight category.
The Indoor Rowing Championships took place at the Donnington Support Unit gym at Parsons Barracks in Telford. It was an opportunity for representatives from different units to come together and compete in an
individual 2000m race and a six minute pair’s relay race.
The Championships were also a success for DHE, as SAC Lansley won 2nd place and NN(S) Ewels won 3rd place in the Individual 2000m Heavyweight Open race. Cpl Wichaisri won 1st place for the Individual 2000m Lightweight race.
DHE did equally well in the six minute pair’s relay race as SAC Lansley and NN(s) Ewels won 1st place for the Female Pairs Heavyweight category, and Cpl Wichaisri and Pte Walmsley won 1st place for the Female Pairs Lightweight category.
It was an incredible day with some tough competition. Everyone worked hard and cheered each other on, creating a great atmosphere.
Indoor rowing is fast becoming a popular sport and even celebrities like Hugh Jackman are getting involved, posting their personal best times on social media sites for others to compare and compete against. The Regional Command Indoor Rowing League is great for motivation and not just competing with others but trying to improve personal performance. There is a Facebook group of the same name that allows competitors to share their personal bests, offer advice and give encouragement. It is a brilliant sport to be involved in!
Pte Gemma Schofield Student Nurse, Department of Healthcare Education
A good way to maintain fitness!