Shortly after Glasgow 2014 comes to a close, the Commonwealth’s finest rowers take to the water for the Commonwealth Rowing Championships at Strathclyde Park and earlier this week the Scotland squad was announced for the event.

Included in the 11 strong squad for the event which will take place over the weekend of August 9-10, are 19-year-old Tom Claxton from Helensburgh and 22-year-old Rebecca Lightfoot from Rhu.

Claxton and his crewmate, 21-year-old Kieran Brown, have enjoyed a successful domestic season winning a gold and two silver medals at the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Rowing Championships as well as being part of the victorious Edinburgh University senior quad scull which won the Hugh Maddock Trophy at Marlow Regatta last month. Earlier this year Claxton was also invited to GB under-23 final trials where he ranked 11th.

Lightfoot has also enjoyed a successful year to date, finishing as runner up at Henley Women’s Regatta last month, as well as picking up silver and bronze medals in the double scull at the BUCS Championships in May.

But while Lightfoot and Claxton are now performing well in races across Britain, both started their rowing careers at Loch Lomond Rowing Club.

Graeme Stewart, club president, was delighted to hear about their selection, he said: “Tom and Rebecca are continuing Loch Lomond Rowing Club’s proud history of producing national and international champions and they both have an excellent opportunity to help the Scotland Rowing team make its mark at the Commonwealth Rowing Championships.

“With three gold medals for Scottish rowers at London 2012 we have seen a really encouraging surge in interest in our sport and we welcome anyone who wants to come and have a go.

“Rowing can be recreational or competitive and we continue to be grateful for the support of Babcock Marine (Clyde) that assists us to provide the resources that have helped put Tom and Rebecca on the pathway to gain this selection.” Ahead of the Commonwealth Championships Lightfoot and Claxton will also be competing as part of the Scotland Rowing Team for the Home International Regatta which is due to take place in Cork, Ireland, this Saturday (July 26).