Rowing: Jamie Rimmer ranked fifth in the UK after dream debut season

Walworth schoolboy Jamie Rimmer, 14, finished an amazing first season in rowing ranked fifth in the UK.

The British Rowing National Junior Championships were held at Nottingham National Water Centre from July 15-17.

Rimmer reached the ‘A’ Final in J14 singles boat, finishing fifth, and his crewed four-boat reached the ‘B’ Final to take bronze place.

Rimmer had only been rowing in a single boat for four weeks but the raw novice reached an ‘A’ final.

“The dream of any rower is to go to the Nationals and make an ‘A’ final and so I ought to be delighted – it is a huge achievement but to be honest I am disappointed,” said Rimmer, a pupil at St Thomas the Apostle School.

“I did want to make the podium and have a medal around my neck.  My lack of experience caught me out, conditions were quite windy, and I had difficulty steering the boat.  At one point I thought I might have gotten the bronze medal, but my oar hit a buoy and that brought me to a standstill.  All three boys on the podium had been rowing single boats for a number of years whereas all my experience has only been gained in the last four weeks.

“I am still a complete beginner where single boats are concerned.  There’s no excuses.  The experience has been a huge eye opener for me.  Had I been fitter and stronger I may have done better, next season I will be way better prepared and I can’t wait to see what is to come.”

The crewed four-boat in the ‘B’ final was a very exciting race.

“At about 300m from home there were five of us in line fighting for second place and I am told we looked the stronger, we made our move and took a clear advantage but quickly conceded it as one-by-one each of the opposition passed us and before we knew it, we were last and in big trouble,” said Rimmer. “In the last 100m we found our stride and pulled back into third place, rapidly closing at the line.  Had there been a few yards more to race we would have taken second place.

“That’s the end of the season for now.  I can’t wait for next year to come and see how my rowing career progresses.  I would still love to get into a proper rowing school but there’s not too many of those in South London.  For now, my next immediate target is to arrange sponsorship to obtain a number of indoor rowing machines to at least start an indoor rowing club at my own school, St Thomas the Apostle”