On the eve of the British Indoor Rowing Championships, organised by Concept2, in Birmingham, this weekend - London Youth Rowing (“LYR”), The Boat Race Company Ltd and Concept2 announce the official launch of the second National Junior Indoor Rowing Championships – NJIRC2008. Hosted by the London Borough of Wandsworth and in association with the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, The Championships will be held on 5 March 2008 at the Genius Site, Battersea Park, London.

The Championships are open to anyone in the UK aged 12 to 18. The event was a huge success last year and attracted over 800 competitors from across the country and this year it’s going to be even bigger, with aims of over 1500 young people competing.

Concept 2 and LYR will stage the event with participants competing in individual and team events. This year the many hundreds of competitors will be joined by the actual Boat Race crews too – as the Official Boat Race Crew Announcement will be held in the morning of the Championships. This will give every one the chance to see at first hand their heroes form either the light or dark blues. As well as the individual Championship races, there will also be team relay events – the 'Sprint Relay' and 'The Boat Race Relay', raced over 6780 metres – The Boat Race distance. It is going to be a fantastic day for everyone. There will be Gold, Silver and Bronze medals for the winners of each category, and special prizes including Concept 2 indoor rowing machines and the opportunity to follow the actual Boat Race in a launch driven by the Royal Marines on Race day, – a prize that money just can’t buy.

If you are up to the challenge and want to compete in the biggest Junior Indoor Rowing event in the country visit http://www.londonyouthrowing.com and click the NJIRC for full details and entry forms.