YOUNGSTERS of Maryport have come home with medals after taking part in the National Combined Regatta in London.

Maryport Sea Cadets impressed officer Mary-Claire Telford at the competition last weekend. She said: “It was just a really good weekend.”

Participants have to qualify to make it to the national competition in London. Out of a 31 member troop, 15 stood out from 14,000 sea cadets nationwide.

Mary-Claire said: “For a little town like ours, to get that many kids is absolutely fabulous.”

Sophie Ritson and Abbey Steel picked up gold in sail boat handling and Leo Telford won gold in Yole. Silvers were won by Oliver Iredale and Sam Telford, individually and in doubles of the canoe cross stream. Bronze in powerboat handling was won by Kelsick Little, Bradley Hindmoor and Zak Alton.

Mary-Claire added that Maryport Sea Cadets have only been practicing Yole for two years. The corps now have coaches and equipment for all activities on the water.

She added: “Any of the kids can have a go at any type of water discipline.”However, they can only compete from age 12 and up.

She added that staff are committed to providing more of this training to young people: “It’s not something you have to be born good at, it’s a skill you can learn.”

“I think it’s something that everybody should do, especially living by the seaside.”