London Rowing Club is one of the most famous rowing clubs in the country and one of the most historic, having been founded 156 years ago. Their self proclaimed mission is to: ‘become the rowing club of choice for high-performance athletes seeking to win Henley Royal Regatta, whilst offering an inclusive club environment’. The club is a monument to the history of British rowing and upkeeps traditions today.
The club is based in the iconic location of the Putney Embankment. It is the 2nd oldest non-academic club on the Thames, founded in 1856, It was the first club to assume position along the embankment, hence setting a legacy for university and club crews to follow throughout the years. Its location on the championship course undoubtedly fits its racing history. Over 150 years of competitive rowing the club has taken over 100 victories at Henley Royal Regatta, an event that the season revolves around for club members. In the full first year after the club’s formation they were victorious in both the Stewards and the Grand challenge cup, with only 200 members in the club, thus marking a strong beginning to the legacy that would follow.
London is a very tight-knit team. There is the impression that there is only one training squad, which is exclusive to masters and seniors; it is critical to note that there is no junior section. However, having said this, London is open to any member who is a believer in the same ideals and shares the same ambitions as the rest of the crew, as long as of course, they’re also competent enough on the water. It is also important to note that there is very little division between heavyweight and lightweight programmes, apart from in competition.
To enhance this, the club boats an impressive range of facilities. Firstly, and most significantly, the club has access to a full-time professional coaching team dedicated to the squad, which undoubtedly helps progression and provides a more personal athlete development. This is repeated by the ‘career mentors’ present at the club, who assist new graduates in balancing rowing and the new world of employment. The club seems to be team Empacher, as they race and train in a fleet of carbon Empachers and Fillipis, so of course, as a team Hudson member, to me, this is seemingly unimpressive! I joke, of course; the quality of boats will assist speed and maximise performance, and most probably make other clubs a little jealous! It seems both on and off the water London is treated to state of the
art equipment, as members have access to a gym with new equipment and weights programmes, accompanied by a full time, dedicated strength and conditioning coach. To highlight the season, every year the club travels to Varese for training camp, furthering the idea of community and family.
The ideas of community are further upheld by the factor that stood out to me: residential, onsite accommodation for some members of the club. Accommodation or ‘Resis’ houses ten rowers and coxswains who are active members of London Rowing Club, but who also have full-time jobs or education, the Resis can keep the cost of living in London down, whilst being literally in the same building as the club. In addition to this, there are regular club functions to further the close-knit community, especially with access to the onsite cafe and bar. The club is also accommodating to those fresh out of school: offering gap year programmes for athletes before university.
Notable alumni include Jess Eddie, who won silver in the women’s eight at the Rio Olympics and two-time Olympic Medalist Phelan Hill, who won bronze coxing the men’s eight in London, topped only by his Gold at Rio in 2016. Interestingly, I also found that in the 1800s Charles Dickens was a member of the historic club and his son: Charles Dickens Jn.
Although their last win at HRR was in 2011, I am confident the fierce community spirit in conjunction with the strong ambition to succeed will help propel the club to future victories, the precedent was undoubtedly set in the 2019 race against Aramoho Whanganui, which resulted in the closet victory margin in the history of HRR! London Rowing Club is a fantastic place to grow and compete, in the heart of the capital, on the tideway, and seems an excellent social group to be a part of too.
Want to find out more about London? Check out their website
Interesting in joining? Contact them here
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