READING’S Alice Ives is proof rowing is not for the faint-hearted.

The Edinburgh University student helped her beginner-coxed quad to gold at the BUCS Regatta at Nottingham’s National Water Sports Centre after less than a year in the sport.

But for the Edinburgh University student, the medal around her neck, which came at the end of the brutal 2km course, made all the gruelling hours worthwhile.

“I’ve been rowing since September. It’s crazy to have a gold medal around my neck now,” she said.

“At the beginning of the year they told me this is what could happen if we tried hard and it seems it did, so it's pretty amazing.

“We were just keeping our eyes on our own boat. We weren’t the first off the blocks, but we just kept pushing and held everyone else off.

“It’s been a lot of hard work – the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life. It’s been the best and the worst, but definitely the best.”

BUCS Regatta is Europe’s largest student regatta, with more than 2500 athletes competing over three days of multi-lane racing over 2,000m to determine who will be champions.

And after tasting success at the first time of asking, there’s no doubt as to whether the 19-year-old will be back next time around, despite her slight faux pas on day one of the event.

“I’ve really enjoyed my first BUCS Regatta – it’s been a really great atmosphere,” she continued.

“I actually fell in on Saturday, but don’t tell anyone that. It’s great to be here now, incredible.

“This group are amazing; I trust them 100 per cent. They have my back and I have theirs – we laughed about it and now we’re just ecstatic!”

BUCS Regatta, Europe's largest student regatta, returned to the National Water Sports Centre over the May Bank Holiday weekend. Read more at www.bucs.org.uk or follow us at @BUCSsport