Almost 100 young rowers from 14 London state schools took to the Thames for the third annual Youth Boat Race. Every crew raced in WinTech shells, with the event hosted by Fulham Reach Boat Club.

Supported by the Oxford and Cambridge Rowing Foundation (OCRF), the event gives
students from local state schools the chance to race the iconic Boat Race course - the same stretch of Tideway that Oxford and Cambridge will contest on Saturday, 4th April.

Now in its third year, the Youth Boat Race has become one of the most celebrated days in the youth rowing calendar. OCRF Trustee Hannah Roberts captured the mood: "To see so many young people having a great time, with so many supporters - it's such a buzz."

Eight mixed crews launched from Distillery Wharf for time trials, with just eight seconds
separating the entire field. Four side-by-side races followed, producing thrilling, overlapping finishes met with roars from over 100 supporters lining the Fulham embankment.

The Youth Boat Race sat at the heart of a packed day of Tideway action, alongside the
Lightweight and Veteran Boat Races, with the Oxford and Cambridge squads practising
nearby. Channel 4 and FilmNova filmed segments for their Boat Race day coverage - a
fitting spotlight for a competition that continues to grow in stature.

The Deputy Mayor of Hammersmith and Fulham, Daryl Brown, was visibly impressed: "It's mesmerising. The teamwork they develop on and off the water is so unique, and an
opportunity that most of them would never otherwise have."

The four winning crews were drawn from a mix of schools including Sacred Heart High
School, West London Free School, Fulham Boys School, ActiveRow Newham, and
Kensington Aldridge Academy.

A teacher at Hammersmith Academy noted the impact on his students: "They've gotten so much more independent and confident through this process. We're seeing a completely different side to the kids."

For many of the young athletes, racing the Championship Course in front of their schools, families, and communities was an experience that extended well beyond sport. One participant summed it up: "It was so nice to get a much closer bond with everyone in our boat. It was so much fun!"

Adam Freeman-Pask, CEO of Fulham Reach Boat Club, reflected: "To see eight crews on
the water, representing their schools and communities with such pride and determination, is exactly what Fulham Reach Boat Club is all about." Medal presentations rounded off the day in style.

Oarsport is a proud long-term supporter of Fulham Reach Boat Club and their mission to
open rowing to young people across London. WinTech shells form a core part of the club's fleet, enabling events like the Youth Boat Race to put almost 100 athletes on the water in competition-ready boats.