The East India Club is new to the world of rowing, having opened back in 2008. Today, we regularly compete during the winter season and into the summer. Our main club is based in St James’s Square in London, but we are privileged to have a partnership with Quintin Boat Club, so our shells (Empacher 2-/x and 4-) and training are base out there.
The main squad comprises roughly eight-twelve rowers with the majority having experience of close to 10 years in the sport, though simply no longer have the time they once had to dedicate to full-time training. We are fortunate to have Josh Butler, Founder of The Row Coach, writing our programme for our specific requirements to get everyone up to speed and rowing together. This comprises two hard ergs a week, ideally a double water session on the weekend and optional cardio and weights for those with a bit more time. Josh also comes down for the water sessions where Mike Biggs, our Head Coach joins him. Mike learnt to row at Bedford Modern School; he previously assisted with Warwick University’s programme; BR umpire and now is a junior coach at Bedford Rowing Club.
Our recent achievements include qualifying a composite 8+ in the Ladies at HRR 2019 (Whitney Powell as our Cox) and HRR 2016 (James Forrester in the 3 Seat); coming 3rd in Club 2- at Pairs Head 2020. All of this alongside our bread-and-butter of Summer Pothunting wins at Henley Town and Visitors, Maidenhead Regatta and Oxford Sprint Regatta.
Our aims for 2021 would be to win the small club pennant at HORR and qualify at least one Club event crew at Henley Royal Regatta. We have our strongest squad ever this year so feel these are achievable targets.
Personally, the most exciting thing about EIC Rowing is how we bring all our student members together over the holidays for battle-paddling on the Tideway; pothunting throughout the summer and celebrating the HRR festivities. This gives us talented athletes from a vast range of Universities and Schools including Eton, St Pauls, St Edwards, UL, Newcastle and Oxford Brookes. I would encourage any student-athlete to get involved with these!
Membership to the main club is a requirement for the Rowing Section though you can get the discounted J7 membership if you are under 25 and discounted rowing membership if a Student. We accept rowers from all levels of the sport (excluding Novices) and tailor your experience, so you get out what you want from it, whether it’s fun, racing or HRR.
Want to find out more about East India Rowing? Check out their website
Interesting in joining? Contact them at eastindiarowing@gmail.com
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Images and article via Benjamin Sherry & Roesie Percy
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