#BritishArmyLogistics An outstanding indoor rowing season sees an RLC Lance Corporal take bronze at the World Championship and gold at the USA Indoor Rowing Championships. This indoor rowing season has seen LCpl Elvin from MRTC Bassingbourn go from strength to strength. With indoor rowing competitions adapting to become virtual, it has meant that they have become more accessible for rowers to compete against their peers on a global scale. This is no more evident than with LCpl Elvin who started the season off winning the RAF virtual championships, followed by racing at the Scottish Indoor Championships where he achieved third place in the men’s 2km (30-39 year). Spurred on from this success, he went on to represent the Army at the British Indoor Championships, where he competed in the men’s (30-39 years) 2km and 500m races, in which he achieved fourth place in the 2km and third in the 500m which automatically qualified him for the World Indoor Rowing Championships. Along with qualifying to represent the Army in the men’s 500m (30-39years) event at the World Championships, he was also selected to represent the Armed Forces in the Men’s Team event, where he took third place in both categories. Not happy with his world success, two weeks later he went on to compete in the USA Indoor Championships Men’ s (27-35) 2km and took first place. This outstanding achievement has been a culmination of six years of development, hard work and training. After getting into rowing following a CrossFit competition in 2015, LCpl Elvin signed up for the 8 During lockdown LCpl Elvin has trained in his garage
SPORT | THE SUSTAINER
World Success for LCpl Elvin
Army Indoor Rowing League (AIRL) in 2017. The AIRL is an indoor rowing competition open to all serving personnel, both as individuals or units and has a monthly challenge running from September – February. It was during this that LCpl Elvin found his competitive streak winning the men’s open for the first three years and the 30-39 category last year. With an obvious talent for rowing, LCpl Elvin has been selected to represent the Army at the British Indoor Rowing Championships for the last four years. Indoor rowing is a physically and mentally demanding sport, made all the harder over the last year due to all the restrictions put in place. This has resulted in LCpl Elvin having to put in long solitary hours of training, in a cold garage with little support or encouragement. To be able to do
8 LCpl Elvin celebrates his US Indoor Championships win
this day in and day out takes great strength and determination, mentally and physically having to push himself further. It is a known fact that he has a bucket next to him for when things get tough! Additionally, he has had to balance work, training and family life, along with the ongoing restrictions COVID-19 brings and having to adapt to competing in a very different environment. You don’t have to be a world level athlete to take up indoor rowing or enter the AIRL. Indoor rowing is a great sport which is accessible to almost anyone who can get access to a rower. It is a low impact sport, which engages the whole body from the legs, to the back and arms. This is ideal for those people who may be suffering from joint issues and unable to participate in high impact sports like running, but still want to stay fit and compete in a sport. Should you be interested in taking up indoor rowing, further information can be found on either the Army Indoor Rowing League Facebook page, or contact Maj Charlotte Peterson: charlotte.peterson249@mod.gov.uk Maj Peterson can provide you with details for both indoor and on water rowing.
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