Row With Us

Juniors

Our thriving Junior Section has been an integral part of Ardingly Rowing Club since inception and enjoys an active 40+ strong membership.

Our volunteer coaches, and the squads that they coach, are able to cater for a broad spectrum of both ability and ambition. Our junior members range from those simply looking to try a new sport; those who are capable scullers but wish to participate for leisure only; right through to those eager to test themselves at a competitive level.

Broadly speaking, our Juniors are of senior school age, from 13+ right up to Upper Sixth at 18+. No previous experience is necessary, the only requirement being the ability to swim 100 metres. However, as safety is of paramount importance, all Club members -whether junior or senior- will take part in a practical water safety drill in due course.

Training takes place in various squads which are structured around the ability and needs of the participant, and their commitment to the sport. Currently, we have a New Starter/Recreational squad which meets on Saturdays and Sundays all year round, and on weekday evenings during the summer months; we also have a Development Squad which meets on Saturdays and Sundays and provides a training programme all year round. We also run several 'Learn to Row' courses throughout the year for complete novices.

Our New Starter/Recreational squad aims to teach recent beginners to become competent scullers, as well as provide a regular time slot for those who are already competent and wish to row for leisure. We aim to coach all of these squad members to achieve their desired level of competency.

The Development Squad aims to take competent scullers and provide them with a structured training programme, both on and off the water, with the intention of improving their competency levels, fitness and boat speed. Typically, the members of the Development Squad are those looking to compete in Head of the River races and Regattas. We are proud to have several junior Development Squad members and crews who have been selected and have competed at a national level for the South East Region at the Junior Inter-Regional Regatta.

As well as teaching new starters to row, we are also able to teach them how to Cox a boat as well. Typically suited to smaller people, a good Cox understands their boat, motivates their crew and commands their boats. This is ideal for a confident, assertive person who may not wish to do the rowing themselves.

Junior boats are in plentiful supply and with singles, doubles and a quad available to us coaching can be focussed on the individual or can be team-based.