THE 2015 Sainsburys Cornwall School Games Finals get under way today with the indoor rowing championships for secondary schools.

A record number of entries have been received from 15 schools/colleges with 255 competitors in school years 7-13 competing – an increase of almost 40 participants on last year's event.

The event has been organised by British Rowing and Cornwall Sports Partnership staff, with Newquay Tretherras School/Newquay Sports Centre again providing the venue.

Last year, 11 of the competitors scored 100 per cent or more of the British Rowing Gold Medal Target so this year British Rowing have set an entry standard for competitors to be able to reach 85 per cent of the 'gold medal standard' for their age group.

Organisers say the continued growth of entries demonstrates the strength of indoor rowing in Cornwall.

Watersports

Many of the schools have developed strong partnerships with local rowing clubs, offering water-based sessions as well as indoor rowing and they will take part in the Sainsbury's Cornwall School Games Gig Rowing competition as part of the Watersports Day on June 24.

The next indoor competition in the West Region is the Plymouth City Championships on March 20 organised by coach Kevin Sellar.

The UCP Marjon West Regional Schools Competition on March 3 will this year incorporate the Devon School Games.

It is also expected several West schools will attend the National Championships in London (NJIRC) on March 20.

For more information on rowing in the West Region contact rhiannon.halliday@british

rowing.org