Pupils from Mount St Agnes Academy have taken to the sea for their PE lessons.

A total of 26 youngsters in Grades 10, 11 and 12 have teamed up this term with the Bermuda Pilot Gig Club for rowing sessions off Spanish Point Boat Club.

Samuel Dubois, a Grade 12 Rotary Club exchange pupil from France at the Hamilton school, said: “It was my first time rowing so at the beginning it was quite a big challenge, but with some time I managed to be able to row correctly.”

The gig club has sparked increased interest after it started to promote the sport in 2015 as a reminder of the island’s maritime heritage.

There are clubs at East End Mini Yacht Club and Sandys Boat Club as well as Spanish Point Boat Club.

Roger Gillett, chairman of the Bermuda Pilot Gig Club, said: “The MSA students have displayed the expected enthusiasm of youth.

“On the very first row, they asked to race against one another as we had two full boats of students and I have to say they did extremely well.

“We are very excited about introducing this sport to these teenagers at the same time as giving them an appreciation for the strength and courage of the Bermudian pilots and crews who rowed to meet and assist approaching ships in centuries past.”

Mr Gillett added: “With their enthusiasm and boundless energy, I have no doubt that these young rowers will be challenging our mature rowers in the not too distant future.”