TWO rowers from Windermere Rowing Club finished first at the double sculls masters competition at Cambois Head Race.

The North Northumbrian competition on Saturday, October 1, was one of a series of long-distance races in the North East over October and November.

It was the first major race newly-formed Windermere Rowing Club has entered and the double didn't disappoint.

David Kidwell and Chris Fellows finished first in both their race categories of Masters and IM3 and came second out of all the double sculls overall.

The feat is made all the more incredible since Fellows only learned to row last summer. He has trained so hard since then, coming out for lonely evenings and early mornings to train in a single as well as with other crews that Kidwell, the club's head coach, felt they were ready to take on some of the most experienced oarsmen in the North.

Chris Fellows, a veterinary surgeon, said: “It was a great day out - my first proper race since starting to row last year - I’m definitely hooked! Many thanks to David - without him I would probably still be swimming up the river."

David Kidwell said: “This was my first race for 15 years and I had forgotten how much it hurts but it’s worth it when we do well. Chris did really well for his first race and let’s hope he sets a standard for the new club."

The club awaits delivery of a trailer, funded by a kind donation from South Lakeland District Council, so that it may take its larger quads and so 12 members of the club to its first major race on the Tyne on 22nd October.