WORLD junior medal sculler Eleanor Lawrence-Preston is targeting more success in 2026, after winning the opening GB U19 trial event at Nottingham by 27 seconds.

The 17-year-old former Monmouth Comprehensive student’s Wycliffe girls’ quadruple scull also raced to a tight three-second win over local rivals Hartpury at their own Wycliffe Head race earlier this month on the Gloucester-Sharpness canal, crossing in 16.49.

Monmouth RC’s Sebastian Lee finished just three seconds off class victory racing for top rowing school Shiplake, crossing just behind Radley in his U16 8 in 15.25, while Haberdashers’ Monmouth’s 1st 8 crossed in 15.51.

Meanwhile, whether you’ve spent years watching the boats glide up and down the River Wye or you’re just looking to trade the gym for the great outdoors, you can get involved by joining Monmouth RC’s Learn to Row courses, run by British Rowing qualified coaches and including all equipment and tuition.

For safety reasons, you must be able to swim at least 50m in light clothing, tread water for two minutes and swim under water for five metres.

There are two Learn to Row courses of six sessions, with one further joint L2R Plus course of six sessions following on.

L2R 1 takes place on Sun 12 April (Intro session 3-4pm), Tues 14 April 6-8pm, Fri 17 April 6-8pm, Tues 21 April 6-8pm, Fri 24 April 6-8pm, Tues 28 April 6-8pm, and Fri 1 May 6-8pm.

L2R 2 is on Sun 3 May (Intro session 3-4pm), Tues 5 May 6-8pm, Fri 8 May 6-8pm, Tues 12 May 6-8pm, Fri 15 May 6-8pm, Tues 19 May 6-8pm and Fri 22 May 6-8pm.

L2R Plus follows on Tuesdays and Fridays from 26 May to 12 Jun 6-8pm.

LTR 1/2 is £120 including one month’s membership, and LTR Plus is £90, including one month’s membership.

Places are limited, and to book email Helen Tilley at [email protected]