Harlow students raft Olympic rapids

THRILLSEEKING GCSE students from a Harlow school took time out from their studies to tackle the fast-flowing rapids at Lee Valley White Water Centre.

As part of Lee Valley Park Authority’s School Festival, fourteen youngsters studying PE at Stewards School paddled their way along the same competition-standard course the world’s top athletes will face during next year’s London Olympics.

Stewards pupils tackle the rapids

The school’s assistant head of PE Gareth Hughes, who joined the pupils on their river adventure, described the experience as "exhilarating".

"It was a thoroughly enjoyable and completely exhilarating experience for all our students," he said.

"They got to tackle the same course that will be used in next year’s Olympic Games and it’s certainly not something that any of them will forget in a hurry!"

Seb Coe, chair of the London 2012 Organising Committee (LOCOG), added: "Lee Valley White Water Centre Schools Festival has been a fantastic way to bring the Olympic Games close to the young people of Harlow. "They’ve experienced something truly unique at a world-class London 2012 venue and they can now say ‘I’ve raced the same course as the Olympians’."

The centre is currently open to the public in the run-up to the Games and will remain accessible once the event concludes next year.

For more information, log on to www.gowhitewater.co.uk or call 08456 770 606.