article: Media playback is not supported on this device Dan Topolski, BBC Sport "You are going to get medals galore if you tune into the rowing. Team GB have representatives in 13 of the 14 events, and we could come away with medals in 10 of them. Katherine Grainger, who is in a pretty stunning double scull with Anna Watkins, is looking to turn three silver medals from the three previous Games into a gold. In the lightweight men's double, Zac Purchase and Mark Hunter are the reigning world and Olympic champions, so you'd think they are a good bet. Competition for Britain could come from the New Zealanders who are fantastic in several events." The days when Redgrave and fellow knight Sir Matthew Pinsent ruled the waves may have passed but the sport in Great Britain has never been in better shape and the hosts will be looking for a record return of medals at Eton Dorney. The rowing regatta has produced at least one gold for Team GB in each of the last seven Olympics and the nation's overall medal haul has been increasing in recent times - two medals in Atlanta, three in Sydney, four in Athens and six in Beijing. Redgrave's exploits are now the stuff of legend and there are several other Britons hoping to make their mark in the history books at the London Games. Rowing is a sport that requires huge strength and lung-busting stamina. For those competing at an elite level, the immense mental fortitude needed to cope with the punishing training regimes - pre-dawn starts, even on cold and dark winter days, are just part of the routine. Media playback is not supported on this device A large number of muscles are used for an extended period of time while rowing. The high volume of strokes performed will increase muscular endurance in your legs, back and arms. Rowing also boosts coordination as it involves a complex series of movements from every limb, repeated in a controlled manner. All of these components mean rowing is one of the most physically demanding sports on the Olympic programme, with approximately 651 calories burned per hour. This makes Redgrave's achievement of winning gold at five consecutive Games all the more amazing. As rowing is often carried out in groups, it is an excellent way to develop communication skills and learn to work effectively with other people. Clubs also offer a variety of social events beyond simply playing the sport. Rowing is a diverse and all-embracing sport. You don't need to be an Olympic-standard athlete to get out and enjoy the United Kingdom's waterways. More than 55,000 people from 520 clubs in Britain now row at least once a week and there are around 300 rowing events a year across Britain. Get your performance under pressure analysed in just 20 minutes by four-time Olympic gold medallist Michael Johnson Start the experiment For an annual membership fee which may vary between £35-£450 per annum, clubs will provide training programmes and the use of facilities and boats. Most clubs will offer
summary: Thanks to the success of one of the greatest ever Olympians, Sir Steve Redgrave, and the world famous University Boat Race, rowing has a proud history within British sport.