A CONSULTANT scientist from Canada may not have seen any bears from the banks or moose in the river, but said he still enjoyed a rowing club open day on Saturday nonetheless.

Conrad Bielski 44, went along to the open day at Abingdon Rowing Club after seeing members taking part in club events.

The father-of-three, who has only lived in the UK for a year, wanted to try out the quintessentially English sport and went along to the open day where rowing hopefuls received instruction on how to paddle a racing boat.

Mr Bielski said: “It was really enjoyable although my knuckles hurt afterwards and I’m still waiting for the pain to go away.

“Our oars were overlapping a bit but they were giving us good instructions.

“I will definitely be going on to the next level and trying it again. I had never done it before and I just though it looked fun because rain or shine the club members always seem to be out on the river."