Our Squads

Senior Squad

Training: Saturday 7:30am - 11:30am + Gym plan + Casual outings

Senior is about racing, that’s it. Fixed crews, regular attendance, and commitment to training beyond your weekend training session so you can attend and perform at regattas and head races. You’ll get focused coaching and develop real ‘depth’ of skill in your crew, but significantly less flexibility in choosing where/how/who you row with.

• Flexibility: None - you’ll be in an assigned crews training towards and competing at specific races

• Commitment: High - not showing up regularly means letting your crew down

• Coaching: High - coaching focused on improving your crew’s performance

• Racing: High - focus is on training to race and racing

• Skill level: Medium-High - skill level is a factor in selection for crews. You’ll get focused training to improve your skill, but a baseline level of experience is required to get started.

INTERMEDIATE SQUAD

Training: Saturday 9:00am - 11:30am + Casual outings

Intermediate is the next step in developing your rowing after Novice: you’ve got a bit more flexibility to explore smaller boats, skills like bow steering, or step up into slightly more competitive races.

• Flexibility: Medium - there are more options, but the focus of the squad will change throughout the year (depending on weather, regattas, etc)

• Attendance: Medium - you still need to show up regularly to build skill

• Coaching: Medium - focused group coaching following a training plan

• Racing: Medium - there are a few additional racing opportunities throughout the year, but the focus is not always on these

• Skill level: Medium - 1+ year experience on the water, confidence in 8s and 4s

Novice Squad

Training: Saturday 11:30am - 2:00pm

Novice is where most of us started in the club, and its purpose is to really cement the core skills you were taught during Learn to Row, build your confidence on the water, and add on a few more skills that will enable you to go anywhere.

Novice is for members who have less than 12 months experience on the water*, and newer members are able to learn from more experienced members.

• Flexibility: Low - we’re focusing on the core stuff you need to get really good at

• Attendance: Medium - you need to show up regularly to keep building confidence

• Coaching: Medium - focused group coaching following a training plan

• Racing: Low - there are a few local racing opportunities throughout the year

• Skill level: Low - if you’re just getting started, this is where you begin!

  *Novice is only open to members with less than 12 months experience.

Social Squad

Training: Saturday 11:30am - 2:00pm + Casual outings

Social is for experienced rowers that want to continue rowing and racing without set training commitments. The squad's main goal is enabling rowers to get out on the water recreationally or commit to short term crews to enter regattas. You have much more flexibility to collaborate with the squad captain around specific crews or boat types as your training goals change.

• Flexibility: High - flexible boats/crews depending on your goals (subject to captain)

• Commitment: Low - you can commit to rowing when it suits

• Coaching: Low - basic coaching and broad session plans

• Racing: Medium - up to you to commit to any races the club is attending, or just row recreationally if you aren’t focused on racing

• Skill level: Medium-High - you should be confident in most boats, able to row uncoached, and able to bow steer or stroke if required.

Coaching

All of our squads follow coaching programmes tailored to their goals and set in conjunction with experienced coaches.

Our Senior squad benefits from a dedicated, experienced coach, who runs most of the squad's water sessions and is focused on taking the squad from strength to strength at races throughout the year. The squad coach also produces a comprehensive land training programme encompassing ergs (rowing machines) and weights for the squad to follow, and takes an active interest in the development of each rower.

Our Novice squad coaches are highly experienced rowers and help our novice rowers flourish on the water, right from the point at which they leave their learn to row course. The goals of individual rowers are accommodated and coaches guide squad members on improvements to both fitness and technique. Coaches also advise on building up land training and prepare those rowers who are ready for a move to the Senior squad.

The Social squad coach is also an experienced rower and provides coaching support across the whole squad, recognizing that despite the more relaxed and recreational nature of the squad, members still want to compete and strive to improve their rowing performance. He advises on technique and race strategy and is a valuable asset to the squad.

If you want to find more information, please get in touch! 

Coxing

What is a cox?

The shouty one at the front of the boat doesn’t even begin to cover it! Coxes are responsible for the safety of the crew and the boats, taking on a number of tasks simultaneously including: devising race strategies, steering the boat safely through the course (to victory!), encouraging and motivating our crews, coaching on-water, and generally being awesome!

Our coxes work with crews across all of our squads and yes, of course wear their lycra with pride!

If you want to find more information, please get in touch!