Sixth Form College Student Competes against Olympic Gold Medallist in National Rowing Competition

23 March 2015

First year Sports student, Kay Shimmin, who also studies Psychology, Applied Science and Film Studies at The Sixth Form College, took part in three National Rowing Competitions this month in London and Eaton Dorney.

Kay, who is part of Liverpool Victoria’s Rowing Team and has been rowing for 4 years, took part in the Women’s Head of the River on the River Thames on Saturday the 14^th March. Her team competed against 300 other rowing teams to race 7 kilometres – including the winning team which included Olympic Rowing Champion Katherine Grainger who won a Gold medal in the 2012 Olympics.

The former Upton Hall School student then competed in another 7 kilometre race in the School’s Head of the River on the River Thames on Monday 16^th March. Kay then travelled to Eaton Dorney to compete in the 4 kilometre Eaton Dorney Scullers Head race on Tuesday 17th where her team came 8^th out of 23 competitors.

Despite only one team member being over the age of 18, Kay’s team were entered into the Junior 18 category in all three races so faced some stiff competition. Kay said, “I was really nervous but excited about taking part in the competition. We had to train at least 3 times a week to be prepared but it was a fantastic experience and really fun to be a part of.”

Kay, who is hoping to go on to University to study Physiotherapy after completing her studies was also pleased with the level of support she has had from her tutors at The Sixth Form College leading up to the event, “My Sports tutor Helen Reagan is always supportive and paying an interest in how I am getting on in my rowing team. I feel that my studies in Sport are beneficial to my training outside of college.”

Kay’s next competition is the English Indoor Rowing Championship at Manchester’s Velodrome on Sunday 29^th March.