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NORTH-EAST BUSINESSES URGED TO TAKE TO THE WATER FOR AN ‘OARSOME’ CHALLENGE

Energetic employees from north-east businesses are being urged to take part in an annual rowing event to be held on the River Dee in June.

The 2011 Aberdeen Inter-Company Row, sponsored by GDF SUEZ E&P UK Ltd, will take place on Saturday June 25.

Organised by Aberdeen Boat Club, the event regularly attracts up to 160 employees from 40 organisations across the north-east region. The most successful crews take away a range of prizes.

Approximately 30 new members joined the club as novices after last year’s Aberdeen Inter-Company Row challenge.

Club president Stuart Pressage said that since the initiative began 27 years ago 60-70% of the club’s membership had come from the Aberdeen Inter-Company Row event.

Billed as the UK’s largest corporate rowing fixture, the event gives competitors the chance to learn to row in six lessons as part of a team building exercise with instruction from experienced Aberdeen Boat Club coaches.

Training for this year’s challenge, which is being sponsored by GDF SUEZ E&P UK for the second year, begins in May and entry forms are now available from the boat club website - www.abc-intercompany.co.uk.

Elspeth Archibald, who came to rowing through the Aberdeen Inter-Company Row event 14 years ago and is now club captain, said: “Rowing is Great Britain’s most successful Olympic sport and many people out there harbour a desire to give it a try. Taking part in the Aberdeen Inter-Company Row is a great way to get a taste of the sport as part of a well organised, motivational and team building corporate event.

“Aberdeen Boat Club looks forward to welcoming new enthusiasts onto the water for the 27th Aberdeen Inter-Company Row, which is the most successful corporate regatta of its kind in the UK.”

Andreas Frank, operations manager with GDF SUEZ E&P UK based in Aberdeen, said: “We were very impressed by the level of enthusiastic participation from companies taking part last year and we are delighted to extend our sponsorship of the Aberdeen Inter-Company Row for another year in 2011.

“There is a real enthusiasm from within GDF SUEZ E&P UK to support this event and we will be entering two teams of rowers into this year’s race. We would urge companies to enter the landmark annual event of the region’s novice rowing calendar.”

GDF SUEZ E&P UK established its E&P operations centre in Aberdeen in 2009.

The Aberdeen Inter-Company Row is the UK’s largest corporate rowing event. To find out more or to enter a crew visit:www.abc-intercompany.co.uk