By Liam Bryce

A SCHOOLGIRL from Gourock is making waves on the Scottish rowing scene after scooping a gold medal at a national event.

Clydeview Academy pupil Rachel Speirs, 15, and her four team-mates took home the top prize at the Nithsdale Regatta near Dumfries after a gruelling 1km course.

Rachel, who is a member of Castle Semple Rowing Club in Lochwinnoch, was pitted against teams from all over the UK and was delighted to pick up a medal.

Rachel said: “We made it through to the intermediate mixed novice final and were up against one other team so I was really happy that we managed to come first.

“It was a tough race because you’re always really close to the other team, there’s that pressure of them either being right in front or right behind you.

“There were so many twists and turns on the river, it was a really challenging course.”

The sporty fourth-year pupil, who also plays basketball, took up rowing when she was 12 after signing up to a summer course at Castle Semple.

She said: “My parents suggested that rowing would be a good sport for me to do as it’s great for keeping fit.

“Currently it’s just a hobby but I want to become as good as I can so I can start competing as much as possible.

“It’s really good fun.”

“I’d like to eventually start rowing at a national level — fingers crossed!”

The talented young athlete regularly competes with older rowers and travels to events all over the country at weekends.

Clydeview teacher Jill Gillespie says the whole school is proud of Rachel’s achievement.

She said: “We are all delighted to have a pupil doing so well in rowing, I think this is a first for Clydeview Academy.

“Rachel has got off to a great start and we wish her every success in all her future competitions.”