The GB Rowing Team invite local people to The Nation on Trial.

The GB Rowing Team is giving local people a rare insight into the rigours of selection for 2012, by inviting them to take part in their own trial on a rowing machine.

The Nation on Trial initiative, sponsored by high-performance partner Siemens, want everyone to become fitter in the build up to the GB Rowing Team Senior Trials, by rowing 2km on a rowing machine. As well as beginning a health kick, the initiative marks a big year for British sport while also raising money for the event's charity partner, The Stroke Association.

It's a simple challenge - in theory! Simply build up to rowing 2k as fast a possible and then log your time on the Nation on Trial website. As far as I'm aware, all local gyms have rowing machines and we've plenty of gyms in Medway, so finding a rowing machine shouldn't be too difficult.The 2k distance is the same as a race in the Olympic Games and anyone aspiring to join Team GB begins the year-long process with such a test. This is the public's chance to have a go, with prizes up for grabs just for taking part, as well as getting fitter and reducing the chances of a stroke.

Anyone of any ability can register on the event website, with access to expert training advice and encouraging messages from World Champions Katherine Grainger, Richard Chambers and Greg Searle. Participants can record their times as many times as they like on the event website, which will show how they compare with friends and workmates, as well as the entry standard for the GB selection process. Four time Olympic Gold Medallist, Sir Matthew Pinsent, is also backing the campaign.

Grainger, 36, a three-times Olympic silver medallist and six-times World Champion aiming for her fourth Olympic Games said: "It's our Olympic distance, it's what we do all the time, it's what we do for trials. We'll be doing that in early March ourselves and then at the Olympic Games in July and August, so it's a tough test. But I'll also warn you it is very addictive, so once you get going, if you're competitive, you will just want to keep improving. So good luck, train hard, race hard and enjoy it".

The reward for anyone over 16 taking part is the chance to rub shoulders with the GB Rowing Team's many medallists and 2012 hopefuls, by way of a prize to win a trip to watch the Senior Trials at the Olympic Venue. The times for those aged 16-24 will also be assessed to see if anyone has the talent to be considered for Rio in 2016.

Every five minutes, someone in the UK will have a stroke which is the leading cause of severe disability. The Stroke Association provides support for survivors and their families as well as funding vital medical research.  Rowing can help reduce the risks of stroke as part of a healthy lifestyle. Register now at www.nationontrial.org.

Meet the GB Rowing Squad here, which includes three rowers from Kent:

Dan Ritchie, from Herne Bay, is a two-time World silver medallist, World U23 bronze medallist and graduate of the GB Rowing Team's Start Programme.

Tom Ransley, from Ashford, is also a double Worls silver medallist and a former Cambridge Blue.

Tom Solebsury, from Petts Wood, was a 2008 Olympian and World bronze medallist.