Juniors
About the Junior Squad
We have a growing Juniors squad with a capacity of up to 50 athletes, aged from 12 to 18. The squad has achievements at local and regional races as well as successful appearances at national events. Our coaching team is led by professionals who specialise in working with young people and have British Rowing Level 2 certification. The squad follows a programme designed to develop the juniors' skills, strength and the fitness needed to enjoy rowing and to progress as a rower.
Our athletes can train up to six sessions (including more than four sessions on the water) each week, with regular sessions on core stability, flexibility and ergo training together with weights for the racers groups. We encourage all under 16s to focus on sculling; with some sweep oar opportunities for the 16+ age group.
Each junior progresses at their own rate and has personalised goals, based upon their experience and commitment. We have an ambitious squad with focused and race driven athletes targeting national and regional (J1 and J2) races as well as J3 athletes who prefer committing only to local events, or to developing their skills and rowing socially and that choose not to compete at events.
How to join our Junior Squad
There are 3 routes to join our Junior Squad:
If you have no previous experience of rowing, you must attend one of our Learn to Row courses first. These are 10 day courses designed to give you the essential sculling skills you need to join our Junior Squad.
If you have completed a Learn to Row at another club that was focused on sweep rowing (rather than sculling) you would need to complete either one of our half-term 5 day courses, or our full 10 day summer Learn to Row course so that can learn the essential sculling skills needed to join our Junior Squad.
If you already have completed a Learn to Row course that was focused on sculling, or if you have any other previous sculling experience through your school for example, then please contact our Junior Coordinator who will be able to advise you on our membership options.
Taster days
We will also run taster sessions for those interested in joining our Junior learn to row courses on the following dates in 2025 - attendance at the taster sessions is simply to help you decide if you would like to commit to the full course:
Sunday 11 May
Sunday 18 July
Sunday 27 July
Learn to Row Courses
Our Junior Squad runs a Learn to Row course each year during the summer holidays, aimed at beginners.Â
We also run mixed ability rowing courses during selected half terms, which are suitable for beginners and improvers.
To join our Junior Squad, all rowers must have experience of sculling which can be acquired at any of our courses. The half-term rowing courses are particularly useful for those who only have sweep rowing experience and would like to gain experience of sculling and to join our Junior Squad.
The dates of the 2025 courses are:
Monday 26 May - Friday 30 May 2025 (5 day mixed ability rowing course)
Monday 18 - Friday 29 August 2025 (weekdays only, 10 day Learn to Row course for beginners)
We will also run taster sessions for those interested in joining our Junior learn to row courses on the following dates in 2025 - attendance at the taster sessions is simply to help you decide if you would like to commit to the full course:
Sunday 11 May
Sunday 18 July
Sunday 27 July
Contact us
If you would like to know more about our Junior's Learn to Row courses or if you can already row and are interested in joining the Junior's squad, please contact the Junior Coordinator.