Olympic rowing gold medallist Mark Hunter attended the Kingston Secondary Schools Indoor Rowing Championships at Chessington Community College last Thursday, writes Chris Broadbent.

It was only the second time the event has taken place and entries were double that of last year, with more than 100 youngsters from seven borough schools taking part.

The event doubled as trials for the 2010 Balfour Beatty Youth Games, with Thursday’s winners now in line to represent Kingston at Europe’s largest annual youth sports event.

The event took place in a theatre-style room with ample seating for spectators, a large projection screen that made it easy to follow each race and was accompanied by loud motivational music.

Hunter, who won Olympic gold in Beijing in the lightweight double sculls and is a former London Youth Games competitor, was impressed with what he saw.

He said: “Events like this make rowing very cool. It’s a great setting and it’s fantastic to see so many people involved.

“I have met some who are trying rowing for the first time.

“Not everyone has the facilities to try rowing, so I think this is a great introduction to the sport for youngsters.

“I was really impressed with the enthusiasm of everyone.

“Standing on top of the Olympic podium hearing the national anthem being played is a moment I will never forget – that’s why I like to attend events like this and, if I can inspire just one person to go on and achieve at the highest level, then it is worth it.”

Richard Challoner School won the overall prize for boys and Surbiton High School for girls.

Other schools to take part were Coombe Boys, Coombe Girls, Chessington Community College, Hollyfield Schools and Kingston College.