Merched Y Mor

 News 

BSU students assist with promotional materials for the worlds toughest row

Wednesday, 30 April, 2025

Sports Media Production was one of five new undergraduate courses added at BSU for 24/25 starters and has opened a world of opportunities for the students enrolled onto the course. Most recently, a group of three Level 4 students headed down to Pembrokeshire to assist with creating the promotional materials for Merched Y Mor, (meaning Daughters of the Sea), a group of women who are embarking on the worlds toughest row.

Working alongside BSU lecturers Lizzie Powell and Digby Fox, as well as guest editor Alistair Knapp, the students spent the day on Pembrokeshire beach helping conduct interviews and record b-roll. The rowers: Denise, Liz, Heledd and Helen are the first all Wales female rowing team to participate in the competition. A fantastic opportunity for the students to show their support for this incredible challenge but also experience creating content for diverse sports.

The women are currently fundraising to meet their goal of £125,000 to secure the purchase of their boat and all the necessary equipment. Then, during the race, their aim is to raise as much money as possible for their charities of choice: Sea Trust Wales, Popham Kidney Support, Action for Children, and the Royal National Lifeboat Institution.

The race itself spans across the Atlantic Ocean, with competitors rowing more than 3000 miles from the Canary Islands to the Caribbean. At sea for up to 60 days, the race is an intense battle of mental and physical strength - with more people having gone to space than crossing this daunting expanse of sea. But as they state on their website:

“We’re made of tough stuff… we know that we have the determination and motivation to complete this test for ourselves and for our chosen charities.”

The students: Sam, Daniel and Antonia, put themselves forward for the task after a call out from the lecturers, all eager to gain some first-hand experience. All their still images have all been used for promotional materials by the rowing team, and even their new official photo ended up being taken by Sam. They also got to sit in on the edit, witnessing the creative process from start to finish. The final cut can be found here.

Hearing from the students themselves, Daniel spoke about how it was the perfect learning environment, being lucky enough to experience an amazing day with friends:

“The trip to Pembrokeshire was the highlight of first year so far for me. It was one of those surreal experiences where I thought to myself, how have I got here but also how fortunate am I to have the opportunity to do something like this with my closest friends.

"I learnt so much over that weekend, yet it was so fun and didn't feel like work at all. It was a once in a lifetime experience which has helped grow my confidence massively when it comes to operating a camera. 

"I am entirely grateful to BSU and my lecturers Lizzie and Digby for allowing me to have an opportunity like this.”

If helping capture moments in diverse and extreme sports sounds like your next great adventure, why not look at joining our Sports Media Production course and take your first steps.