Rowing, cheering, and rocking during the King's Games

Groups 7 and 8 of De Vossersschool give it their all during rowing tournament

At the Vossersschool primary school in West, the King's Games were given a sporty twist for the pupils on Friday, April 24. Various sports were offered, such as mountain biking and kickboxing, but also rowing on the rowing machine. Rowing and sports instructor Brock Sampson of Rowing Without Limits set up his rowing machines in the small gymnasium for this purpose and organized a rowing tournament for the pupils of groups 7 and 8.

Six teams of three pupils each were formed to compete against each other on the rowing machine. The children were allowed to come up with their own team names, which already showed a great deal of creativity. These teams were vying for the win: the Orange Cakes, the Bitterballs, the Rowing Chicken Nuggets, the Oranges, the Fast Jelles, and the Rowing Lions. Each rowing machine was connected to a digital screen so that everyone could see how their boat was doing in the race. Consequently, this screen was closely watched by all the determined and heated faces.

Full throttle on the rowing machine

During every race—three teams at a time—each team rotated three times so that every team member could row. And that speed and precision were required was evident in the students' enthusiasm. The fanaticism to continue rowing as fast as possible dripped from everyone's faces. Those who were not rowing cheered the rowers on loudly. Because the straps on the feet of the fanatics could not be tightened equally for everyone during these rapid rotations, the rowers' feet were held firmly in place by team members or teachers sitting next to the rowing machines. “They are really killing it!” Brock commented enthusiastically during the tournament, visibly proud of the students from groups 7 and 8; of their effort and team spirit.

Grand finale full of suspense

During the final round, all six teams rowed against each other – the grand finale. All six rowing machines were placed side by side, with a view of the digital screen. After a final heated battle, in which everyone gave their last ounce of energy, the rowing lions walked away with the victory. Brock looks back on a successful tournament: “It is great to see how competitive everyone was and that they also inspire each other. This tournament was a pilot for Junior Rowing & Team Sport: a new, accessible indoor rowing youth program that I am setting up for children from grades 7/8 up to age 17. We are starting with Learn-to-Row: four introductory, non-competitive lessons, in which participants can calmly get acquainted with technique, teamwork, and the basics of indoor rowing.

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