More than 200 school children will take part in a competitive rowing event at this year’s Leisure Industry Week, at the end of September.

Rowing machine manufacturer, Concept2 and president of Birmingham Schools Rowing Association, Neil Mackintosh, are organising the competition.

All sports colleges in Birmingham, including two schools with special needs students, have been invited to send eight children to take part in the relay event, rowing for eight minutes each. To encourage audience support, a back lit screen will illustrate the race, showing boats following a course.

Concept2’s John Wilson anticipates a great competition, but stresses that part of the event is to showcase how beneficial indoor rowing can be for school-age children.

Three years ago, Concept2 and rowing Olympian Sir Steve Redgrave, approached Birmingham City Council to establish indoor rowing as a mainstream activity in 20 secondary schools.

The results have shown that even ‘unsporty’ children took to it with health benefits outstripping expectations.

Indoor rowing is now being rolled out across the country in schools, in association with the Steve Redgrave Trust and Youth Support Trust.