SOUTHAMPTON rowing clubs were at the Games to give youngsters a rare chance to find out if they fancy taking up the sport.

Officials from Southampton Amateur Rowing Club and Southampton Coalporters Club set up some rowing machines for youngsters to try out.

Coalporters are involved with the Amateur Rowing Association's Project Oarsome scheme.

One of 50 clubs nationwide in the programme, Coalporters have been linked with Bittern and Bellemoor Schools.

In exchange for raising £15,000, the club get £55,000 worth of rowing equipment.

The club goes into the schools for three months, the schools each get a rowing machine and some of the teachers can be trained up as coaches.

The youngsters showing the most skill and enthusiasm can join club members on the water.

Since the scheme was set up a few years ago, the ARA have reported a 23 per cent rise in juniors participating nationwide.

In addition to Project Oarsome, rowing clubs can gain accredited status and Southampton ARC have that and will soon be linked to Weston Park Boys School. The Itchen Imperials club are working towards accredited status.

Vicky Foat, the ASA development officer for Hampshire, said: "We're trying to remove the stigma attached to rowing that it's an elite sport. That's the presumption, but it's not.

"Joining a rowing club is cheaper than people think as the equipment and coaching is all provided.

"It's a skill-based sport but it's also great for health and fitness. It's also one of the few sports that uses all the major muscle groups."

Southampton ARC head coach Justin Smith added: "People spend ages on rowing machines in gyms, and no offence to gyms but we have more time tot rain people using the proper techniques.

"We have lots of qualified coaches at the local clubs and the time just flies by when you're on the water."

See today's Daily Echo for more reports and pictures from the Hampshire Youth Games.