Rowing at Reading

The club was founded in 1867, although there was a history of rowing on the Thames at Reading for many years before that. The Reading Amateur Regatta, an event organised by the town, was first held in 1842, so it could be argued that the club has its origins at least 25 years earlier when the regatta was first held. The club was very active in the early years and, in spite of the absence of any motor transport to take boats to and from regattas, the club competed at regattas up and down the Thames throughout the summer months. It seems strange today to think that the club was inactive on the river through the winter.

The club’s greatest achievements in the early years were during the 1930s when crews reached the final of the Thames Cup and won the Wyfold Fours at Henley Royal Regatta in 1934 and 1935. In 1938, Len Habbits, a member of the winning Wyfold Fours crews reached the final of the Diamond Sculls.

More recently, RRC crews have reached the semi-finals of the Britannia Challenge Cup at HRR in 2006, final of Henley Women’s Regatta in 2010, National Championship Women’s 4 win in 2010 and Masters Gold medals in a variety of men’s and Women’s classes at Henley Master’s, National and World Championships during 2011. The Junior section has regularly produced medallists at National Schools, National Championships and International Junior level.

Reading Amateur Regatta takes place around the 2nd weekend in June each year and with the evolvement of multi lane race racing as standard now for many regattas, Reading prides itself on having the only 2 lane side by side river racing event in the run up to Henley. Gladiatorial battles take place over the weekend and the regatta boasts a friendly family atmosphere and a great day out for all.