Louis Edwards shows off his winner’s medal

A TEENAGE rower who took home gold in the men’s kayak sprint at the weekend has said he wants to train to teach other teenagers how to boat.

Louis Edwards, 17, said it was “exciting” to win gold at his final Youth Games event, a water sports competition at Fairlop Waters in Barkingside, east London. Next year he will be too old to compete.

Fending off competition from three separate heats before the final on Sunday, he said his time at Islington Boat Club in City Road Basin had taught him “a lot of skills” and a desire to help others.

A part of that dream is to “become a big role model for all the underprivileged and all the minority groups,” said Louis, and teach them skills that encourage them to pursue positive life pathways.

The BTEC student, who has been a member of the boat club since he was eight, added: “I’ve learned how to work with a whole bunch of dynamic groups – from people with severe learning difficulties to people that aren’t very wealthy or not very privileged.

“I’ve worked with people that are very privileged. I’ve learned how to socialise and also work and understand how to lead and teach people of a whole variety of society.”

The youngster from Upper Holloway is also attending a ceremony in Hackney tomorrow (Saturday) to collect an award for the best fire cadet in London.

Having trained in his level one instructor qualification, Louis is eager to rise up the ranks to one day become one of the lead coaches at the club and praised it for the support he had received during his childhood, including attending their four-week summer courses every year.

Islington Boat Club, which closed in dramatic fashion last year after a fallout with the council over funding repairs needed, reopened with a new board last month. It will officially open next month when works to outbuildings are complete.

Sarah-Jane Elvin, boat club CEO, said it was “absolutely brilliant” the club had taken home two gold medals and a silver one, despite their team having just two Saturdays between the reopening and the competition to prepare.

“It shows the dedication of the staff and how hard they push them and how much the kids love it doesn’t it really? They want to do their club proud,” she added.

The club offers adult classes in kayaking and paddleboarding, as well as children’s summer courses along with all-year-round activities.