THREE students from a Cornwall-based rowing club placed among the top 20 in the country as their club took part in a national rowing championship in London. 

Students from Fowey River Academy Rowing Club made the long journey from Cornwall to the Copper Box Arena at the Olympic Park in London on Friday to compete in the National Indoor Rowing Championships.

FRA was the only school from Cornwall and Devon and they were competing against the best rowing schools and clubs from across the country, split by year group and pushing themselves to the limit in a test of both power and endurance.

Jon Rolls, Community Director, said: "We started our rowing club at FRA because we knew we had a lot of talented rowers linked to River Fowey Gig Club and Castle Dore Rowing Club.

"We have such a great location and the River Fowey is an important part of our DNA. Establishing a rowing club that supports our local community is really exciting and taking on the might of rowing schools across the country and holding our own, is a huge achievement."

Fowey River Academy wasn't just making up the numbers either. The 17 rowers, ranging from Year 8 to 11, all competed with huge guts and determination, many of them achieving personal bests, and three rowers placing in the top 20 in the country.

The school also says this is just the start as they look to build momentum and grow rowing in the area. With the St Pirans flags flying, FRA students rowed with a Cornish pride that it described as impressive to watch.