Teenage Rowers Complete Middle-To-End
Longtails Rowing Club’s youth programme reached a key milestone as eight teenage rowers completed the 12-mile Middle-to-End leg of the Convex End-to-End on Saturday [May 2].
The club, founded last year by Zoe Oduntan, is an independent initiative that works alongside the Bermuda Rowing Association and fielded rowers aged between 13 and 16. The group rowed in pairs for the event.
Oduntan said favourable conditions helped the team complete the course.
“I was grateful we had good weather and that we were able to row to Dockyard instead of taking the alternate route we had planned,” the 13-year-old told Bernews.
“I also felt like I had enough energy to make the round trip back to White’s Island; it was just that good.
“I’m hoping we’ll have more Longtails rowers participating in the Convex event next year.”
She said the experience passed quickly and praised the support team.
“The row went by really fast, too – we got to White’s Island at 7am, and I was back home by 11am,” she said.
“The parents were all involved in making sure we had everything we needed and coaches Erik Gotfredsen and Amir Thomas along with Ms Barbara O’Shaughnessy followed us in the launch.”
Oduntan said receiving medals at the finish was a highlight.
“Also, it was really cool that the representative from Convex met us at Dockyard to hand us our medals – that felt really special,” she said.
Bram Wiseman said he enjoyed the row and would take part again.
“I had a great time! The row went by quite quickly because it was so enjoyable, there were long tails following us the whole way, it was a great experience, and I’d definitely do it again!”
Maia Schrum, another rower, added: “I really enjoyed my first middle to end rowing experience. It was exhilarating to be one of the first to cross the finish line. And I am keen to do the full end to end row next year.”
