Royal St. John's Regatta rowers take their training inside

The Royal St. John's Regatta held its first indoor race over the weekend. With the help of rowing machines and computer screens, athletes on the Avalon were able to simulate a real race, without leaving thegymnasium.

The Regatta committee teamed up with the St. John's Rowing Club and the Canadian Forces Station in St. John's to pull off the unique idea.

The athletes strapthemselves into rowing machines whichare attached to a computer. Thecomputer is then used to track the rower's time, factoring in the individual's weight and age.

Co-organizer and rower Tina Hunt said she's been dreaming of using the indoor equipment for years. Regatta vice-president Chris Nearysaid it's a great way for rowers to get a head start on the training season.

Check it out in the video player above.