Hartpury College student Gethin Balkwill has made history by becoming the first Hartpury athlete to be selected to represent Great Britain at the U19 European Rowing Beach Sprint Championships.
The second year A-level student travelled to La Línea, Spain, to compete for Great Britain in the Junior Men’s Coastal Solo (JMC 1x), building on an impressive period of national and international rowing success.
Gethin began the competition strongly and was ranked fifth before his championship was brought to a premature end following a boat breakage during the early stages of the regatta, which resulted in his disqualification.
Despite the disappointing conclusion, selection for the championships represented another significant milestone for Gethin and for rowing at Hartpury.
It was also a return to familiar surroundings for the young rower, who competed at the same venue last year when representing Great Britain at the Coupe de la Jeunesse Regatta.
Gethin’s latest Great Britain appearance followed his success at the British Rowing Beach Sprint Championships, where he won the senior mixed quad and secured bronze in the Junior Men’s Single.
His attention now turns to another major international opportunity after being selected to represent Great Britain at the U19 World Rowing Beach Sprint Championships in China at the end of October.
The World Championships will provide Gethin with another opportunity to test himself against some of the leading young beach sprint rowers from around the world as he continues his development alongside his A-level studies at Hartpury College.
Gethin’s historic European selection and forthcoming World Championship appearance mark an exciting step for Hartpury’s Rowing Academy and its ability to support students competing at the highest levels of their sport.
Tom Jenkinson, Lead Coach at the Hartpury Rowing Academy, said: “We’re incredibly proud of Gethin and what he has achieved. To become the first Hartpury athlete selected to represent Great Britain at the U19 European Beach Sprint Championships is a significant milestone, both for him and for our rowing programme.
“It was obviously disappointing for his racing in Spain to end because of a boat breakage, particularly when he had started the competition so strongly, but that is part of sport and Gethin can take a huge amount from the experience.
“His focus now turns to the World Championships in China, which is another fantastic opportunity for him to represent Great Britain on the international stage. Gethin has worked extremely hard for these opportunities and we’re looking forward to supporting him as he takes this next step.”
