Adamson’s pushing the boat out for GB
TEENAGER Joseph Adamson is preparing for the most oarsome experience of his fledgling sporting life, writes TONY HODGSON.
The promising rower has been called up by Great Britain for the Munich Junior Regatta in Germany.
Adamson, a member of Chesterle-Street Amateur Rowing Club, will compete in the single and double skulls at the event, which is staged on Saturday and Sunday.
It is a case of second time lucky for the 17-year-old, a pupil at Durham’s St Leonard’s School.
He said: “I took part in J16 trials last year in a bid to make the regatta squad but was not selected.
“That just made me more deteriend to earn a place this time round.
“I was confident going into the trials - they went well for me and I was delighted to be called up.
“To take on some of the best rowers in the world will be a fantastic experience.
“I cannot wait to get out there and see what I can do.”
Adamson, who has enjoyed success in regional and national competitions, first took to the water five years ago.
He added: “I got into rowing when I started secondary school.
“My mum took me along to a ‘Learn to Row’ session at Chesterle-Street ARC and from then on I was hooked.”
The Chester-le-Street youngster thanked his coach Steven Thompson for helping him achieve national recognition.
He said: “Steve has been very supportive and given me a lot of good advice.
“He has also laid on extra coaching sessions for me which have been a help in my development.”
Thompson said: “Joseph has worked so ard for this and his callup is well deserved.
“He went to all the selection trials and finished in the top three per cent in all of them.
“The club has never had a male rower in the GB squad before so Joseph has made history!
“It is a big boost for everyone at the club.”
Adamson and club colleague Eve Larsen and Adamson also raced at a trail in Nottingham in singles, both gaining invites to the Crew Selection Regatta in July as a result.
Larsen finished an impressive 10th in the time trial - all but guaranteeing her a place at crew selection.
Then in the semi and final she finished fourth and third, securingher a ninth-place ranking.
Adamson came fourth in his semi-final, then won his B final for a seventh-place ranking.
CHESTER-le-Street ARC claimed a record three of the four medals the region won at the Junior InterRegional Championships at the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham.
The wj164x squad finished strongly in the B final, coming second.
Joe Telford, in his first sprint race in the j14 boys’ singles, was fifth in the B final - beating strong southern opposition.
The men’s j15 four came second in their B final and the women’s j15 four were second in their B decider - winning seven points each for the regional team.
The girls’ j16 double ended up second in their semi-final and fifth in the A final to gain eight points for Team North.
Caitlin Warren in the wj15 single clinched an impressive silver medal in her semi-final.
Roman Bowery was in the boat which triumphed by the biggest margin in the entire championships as he struck gold in the mj151 category.
The men’s j16 four coxed by Amy Snook won their semi-final, rowing through the field of six boats.
It then did the same in the final, hunting down the crew from Kings Canterbury and Henley in the last 200 metres to caim a very impressive silver medal.