Club History
A History of EERC
Eton Excelsior Rowing Club (EERC) was founded in 1826 (the year when Samuel Morey patented the internal combustion engine) and formally established in 1851. The club is one of the oldest on the River Thames. A short article about the club and its history can be found on the British Rowing web site.
To view a collection of older photos including an extract of the 1826 establishment record see our Historical Photo Gallery.
We are the open rowing club for Windsor, Slough and Eton. “Open” means ‘open to all’, that is, men, women, adults, juniors and veterans. We are affiliated to British Rowing, the UK governing body for amateur rowing, and have accreditation as a Community Amateur Sports Club (CASC).
Premises
The club’s original boat house, used for more than 150 years, was in King Stable Street in Eton, right by the bridge which links Windsor to Eton. This site was only leased from Eton College and in the mid 1990's, the College decided to construct a block of flats on ours and adjoining land. A photo of the inside of this very small humble boathouse is shown below. The Club therefore needed to find a new home.
When we moved out, and whilst we were looking for a long term solution, the Club rented rack space from Eton College at Andrew’s Boat House (also used by the Army) just up stream from Boveney Lock. We were based here for some 5 years. These were difficult times for the Club as the Andrew's Boathouse was very basic (limited toilet facilities, no showers, changing rooms, heating or meeting/social room). Our membership unfortunately dropped.
Eventually, after a long search, the Club managed to find and buy the site of the current boathouse. 
The next level of hardwork then began not only to secure planning permission (the site was in the Green Belt) but also to raise the funds to build a new boathouse. The key component to the success of the project was a Lottery Grant. After several attempts and a lot of perseverance and paperwork (some 5ft!) in particular by Paul and Jane Franklin, we were successful in obtaining a grant.
The grant was not sufficient to cover the whole cost of the project and we still needed financial assistance from the Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead and donations from our own members and generous benefactors.
The next chapter saw the site cleared and our current boathouse constructed. This in itself was not an easy task and money was tight. Particular thanks must go to the hardwork of Peter Pulvermacher (then President), John Spencer and Nigel Hopkins who were all heavily involved in the construction of the boathouse. Thanks must go also to the many members who leant a hand with onsite construction to keep the costs down.
Construction was completed in 2001 and the Club moved in in September of that year.
Since then club has re-established itself as a friendly and successful rowing club situated on one of the best stretches of the River Thames, next door to Dorney Lake, the 2012 Olympic Rowing venue. And so, with a steady growth in our membership across all age groups, successes at local, national and international regattas, our future looks bright and our story continues …….