Rowing with us

The rowing activities of the Club can be divided in to the following main headings.

• Sweep oar rowing (in pairs, fours and eights)
• Sculling (in singles, doubles and quads)
• Rowing and sculling coaching
• Fitness training
• Competitive rowing and sculling (at Regattas and Head Races)
• Recreational rowing and sculling

What is the difference between sculling and rowing?

The basic difference is that sweep oar rowing involves each rower using one oar (blade) whilst sculling involves each sculler using two oars (sculls). The Oxford v Cambridge University Boat Race is a sweep oar event where two “eights” (see below) race against each other.

What are the different boats we use?

The principal sweep-oar rowing boats are:-

• Pairs - two oarsman with or without a cox to steer (coxed or coxless)
• Fours - four oarsman with or without a cox
• Eights - eight oarsman with a cox

The principal sculling boats are:-

• Singles - a single sculler
• Doubles - two scullers
• Quads - four scullers (with/without a cox)

A boat for eight scullers, known as an “Octople”, is also made and generally used by school children. Whilst we have a range of boats, most Adult rowing at the club is in Fours (sweep oar), single and double sculls. Our Juniors only use sculling boats.

Where and when do we train?

The majority of our rowing and sculling (except competition) takes place on the River Thames between Boveney and Bray Locks. Boating takes place from our boathouse, adjacent to Windsor Marina, off the Maidenhead Road.

The Boveney/Bray Reach of the River Thames extends to approx 5,000m and offers excellent rowing conditions. It is sheltered and relatively quiet.

In the winter months if rowing is not possible on the River some training takes place on Dorney Lake , Eton College 's new FISA standard rowing lake where the 2012 Olympic rowing events will be held.

For the competitive rower, summer outings are usually 2-3 times (mainly evenings) a week and Saturday & Sunday mornings. During winter months, river outings are just at weekends as people develop but the more experienced have the opportunity to row during the week as well.

For the recreational rowers, during the summer months, they can be seen out on the river on Wednesday evening and at the weekend. During the winter months, outings are Sunday mornings.

Session times depend on which coaching group you are in but obviously we look for as much flexibility as possible.

If you are a single sculler, once you have reached a suitable standard you have the flexibility to go sculling at any time (We recommend that you consider some basic safety points first).

How seriously do you need to take rowing?

The level of commitment and training is to a certain degree up to you.

As an example if you wish to row competitively you would need to train at least four times, during the winter months this would mean two outings per week on the River and 2 gym/ergo sessions. In the summer months it would mean at least four River outings a week. Generally the more experienced you get, and the more points you gain, the more training you need to do above this level to remain competitive for example if you were training to compete at Henley you are likely to be doing between 8 and 10 sessions

However the club also offers opportunities to recreational rowers; those who want to be involved in the sport but not necessarily compete at regattas. This by definition takes up as much time as you want. If you wish to row in a crew then you would need to attend one of the recreational rowing sessions but if you are experienced enough to scull on your own you could go out when you like.

Are you fit to row?

Rowing is an excellent way of introducing a fitness activity into your lifestyle if you do not currently undertake a sport. You don't need to be as fit as Steve Redgrave to take part but if you want to compete at head races and regattas, then a good level of fitness will be required. The training schedule is devised to help all levels of rowers and scullers get in shape to compete.

Fitness Training

Gym training is also available for those who wish to partake. This is not only a great opportunity to see other members of the club away from the water but an excellent way to train specifically for rowing. Activities range from free weights to ergometer (rowing machines) and circuit training.

What equipment do you need?

To start rowing or sculling you do no need any specialist equipment at all. Rowing can be done in basic gym equipment; shorts and T Shirts in Summer but with warmer kit such as leggings or tracksuit bottoms and sweat shirts in Winter.

The Club provide boats but if you get serious and decide to pursue sculling you may wish to buy your own single scull and several members have. We can provide racking for your boat too.

How do you progress in competitive rowing?

The ARA (Amateur Rowing Association) operates and polices a points system to grade the experience of rowers and scullers for competition. The progression is as follows:

• Novice
• Senior 4
• Senior 3
• Senior 2
• Senior 1
• Elite

When entering a Regatta you would enter at your level (initially Novice for inexperienced rowers and scullers) and will race similar experienced crews or scullers. You progress through the stages by the award of points gained by winning regattas.

Separate points systems exist for rowing and sculling for example you could be a Senior 2 rower but because you have not won any sculling events you are still a Novice sculler.

What type of competitions & events are there?

Competitions take place throughout the year. They take two forms

• Regattas - these are usually in the Spring and Summer. They involve side by side racing, in one or more lanes, over distances ranging from 500m to the full Olympic distance of 2000m. The races are mainly on Rivers but occasionally on lakes. Each race will take from between 2 minutes to 8 minutes depending upon the length of course, the experience and fitness of the crew and whether the race is upstream or downstream on the River. To win a Regatta you would normally need to race, and win, 3 times in the day as you progess through heats to the final race for the particular event.
• Head Races - these are procesional races where crews set off in a predefined sequence to race over much longer distances - up to 4.25 miles. These races take place in the Autumn and Winter. You do not race side by side, but competitors set off at timed intervals (usually 5 seconds) and then timed over the course. The winners are those that complete the course in the quickest time for their event.

Regattas and Head Races are open to both Rowers and Scullers albeit some events are restricted to certain categories e.g. the Fours Head which takes place on the Oxford/Cambridge Boat Race course in November is restricted to Fours.

The events take place at weekends. Smaller events will be one day affairs but larger events can be two day, with racing over different distances on the two days

Where do EERC race?

The club has a growing competition squad with some 60 adults and 50 juniors racing for the Club during the 2005/06 season

During the 20005/06 season, the club raced in boats ranging from single and double sculls to coxed and coxless fours, coxless quad and the eight.

Most of the events the club entered are on the River Thames. EERC crews have entered events ranging from rowing at Henley Royal Regatta, to rowing the Oxford/Cambridge boat race course on the Tideway (in Head races) to more local events at Kingston, Molesey, Egham, Staines, Henley, Marlow, Wallingford and Oxford.

Several large regattas have relocated to nearby Dorney Lake and the club is always represented there. We also travel further afield and this year has seen crews compete at Peterborough, Evesham, Hereford, Monmouth, Nottingham and Strathclyde.

More Information

If you want to know more about what the individual squads do, please refer to the Squad pages.