State rowing championships are to be held on the Nepean River this weekend
THEY'VE got access to some of the world's best training facilities at Nepean Rowing Club.
So it's no surprise local high-school rowers are in good shape for the state rowing championships on the Nepean River this weekend.
Rowers such as Matt Madden, in year 12 at St Paul's Grammar and the club's men's junior rowing captain.
"I'm absolutely exhausted at the end of every training session, particularly after a long 16km row," he said.
"There isn't a day that goes by that something new doesn't hurt, but I put my trust in our coaches and their programs, and trust that all the hard work will pay off and I'll perform my best in the coming state and national championships."
Rowers like Caitlin Riley, also in year 12 at St Paul's and the women's junior captain.
"It is such an awesome feeling to get faster and faster," she said of rowing's appeal. "Rowing has been part of my life since year 7.
"Now that I'm in year 12 I'm training around 15 hours a week and then managing my final year of school as well, so it's hard work.
"But we have such a strong team, we spend a lot of time together, and we help each other."