Sponsor Reading
What is rowing?
Rowing is a sport for all ages and levels of commitment. Whether you want to try it alone or as part of a team, on land or on water, there is an aspect of the sport that appeals to most people.
Rowing can be recreational – focusing on learning the technique required and enjoying the feeling of being outdoors, with like-minded people, improving your fitness. Equally, there is a strong competitive aspect, where overall fitness and teamwork are more important than sheer power.
Rowing is a demanding and multi-faceted sport, requiring cardiovascular fitness, strength and core muscle development.
There are three main forms of rowing:
- In sweep rowing, each rower has one oar, held with both hands. This can be done in pairs, fours and eights.
- In sculling, each rower has two oars (or sculls), one in each hand. Sculling is usually done without a coxswain, in quads, doubles or singles
- Indoor Rowing is performed on rowing machines (ergos).
Reading Rowing Club
Founded in 1867, Reading Rowing Club enjoys one of the best stretches of the River Thames for rowing. With access to a full 6 km of scenic river from Reading Bridge to Purley, we are able to provide our members with ideal water conditions to achieve high performance.
We pride ourselves on increasing our membership from approximately 150 in 2002, to nearly 300 members at present, making up four core squads: Men, Women, Veterans and Juniors. Our fleet comprises 60 club boats, catering for all levels, weights and categories.
With recent wins at National Schools, and FISA World Masters, in addition to various regional and local regattas, RRC is in the premier league of UK rowing clubs.
We also organise the Reading Small Boats Head (SBH) race each year, and Reading Amateur Regatta held in June is one of the major events on the British Rowing calendar.
RRC also actively participates within the local community. The annual Thames Water Raft Race is hosted at the club, in support of the charity WaterAid, and sees as many as 40 teams competing in fancy dress outfits from the club past Caversham Bridge and back.
