PENARTH youngster Matthew Jackson has become the Welsh Open Indoor Rowing Champion 2010 (Under 12s), after entering his first competitive event.

The Welsh Indoor Rowing Championships were held over Friday, December 3, and Saturday, December 4, at Channel View Leisure Centre, Cardiff Bay.

Attracting nearly 1,000 competitors from across the UK, it is the third biggest Junior event after the British and National competitions.

The events are based on a set time, where the competitors row against each other to cover the furthest distance possible, creating a competitive atmosphere.

Matthew, aged 11 of Llandough, who is a pupil at St Cyres School, only started rowing in August - quickly progressing to the fine racing craft on the water and honing his skills on the Ergo machines indoors.

On Friday, rowing for St Cyres School, Matt entered the Welsh Open Schools Indoor Rowing Championships, and in a highly contested category of 54 entrants from all over Wales and many English schools, he set a personal best and came fifth, finishing just four metres off the medal placings.

Taking this experience into Saturday, rowing for Cardiff and Vale Schools Rowing Club, Matt entered the Welsh Open - again competing against clubs from all over the UK including City of Swansea, City of Cambridge, Ross Rowing Academy and all the local rowing clubs.

Matt took the lead from the start and never relinquished it, leading the field home to win by an impressive 50 metres, winning the Gold Medal!