Former pupil and Olympic rower, Tom James MBE paid a surprise visit to King’s boathouse this week. Tom, fresh from the World Rowing Championship in Bled, Slovenia earlier this month where he won a gold medal as part of the coxless four in the GB squad was back in Chester visiting his family.

The King’s School rowers were delighted to have Tom join them on their afternoon training session when he went out on the water with their coaches to offer some advice. Tom is off back to his London GB rowing base early next week when he restarts training full time for the London 2012 Olympics.

David Blackham, Director of Rowing at King's said, “It’s great that Tom can find time in his busy schedule to return to the club where he learnt to row over ten years ago. He is an inspiration to the younger rowers and the athletes in the club were very excited to have an Olympian take to the water with them for a training session.”

The rowing club has just taken delivery of the new and first girls coxed four. The club is currently expanding its fleet due to the growing numbers and recent success of the girls squad. The boat is shown with four girls from the Elite Girls squad on its first outing on the Dee.