Crews
Please click on the corresponding link to view information about our crews.
Men
Novices
We take nearly anyone, anytime and pretty much any age, from raw beginner to experienced ex-university rowers, budding juniors, refugees from other clubs and discerning rowers looking for the best water and equipment. We will encourage you and give you the opportunity to learn and develop the fitness and skills necessary to enjoy rowing at whatever level you aspire to.
Everyone's got to start somewhere and Walbrook's a great place to start...
In the winter, many of our seniors are willing to pass on their expertise to novices and row with them, developments can take place every outing this way. As the head racing season progresses, we form competitive status crews and then its off to try and win that covetted novice pot and enjoy some racing at choice regattas around the country.
Seniors
The Senior squad is made up of rowers who have won a Novice or Senior status event
We are a mixture of;
- Rowers local to the area
- Discerning rowers looking for the best water, equipment and coaching
- University and ex-university rowers
- Keen refugees from other clubs
- The odd international
- Some super-fit "geezers" reluctant to go Master
- 'Home grown talent', being Walbrook ex Novices who have moved up.
In the recent past, members have rowed at Henley and have enjoyed great success with numerous wins at regattas nationwide.
The squad has access to a great range of excellent quality boats and equipment, mostly late model Janousek and Empachers, we also have several club sculls and blades to match.
Training
Please be aware that NO sessions are compulsory!
Only a MINIMUM of 8 hours training a week will make you competitive
and
Training together IS easier than training alone
Day |
Activities & Times |
| Monday | From 1830hrs - Ergos followed at 1930hrs - Boathouse circuit training |
| Tuesday | 1930hrs Crew outings and small boats or run and ergo followed by club night with food |
| Wednesday | Small boats, for those competent |
| Thursday | 1930hrs Crew outings and small boats followed by Skiff club food |
| Saturday | 0730hrs Crew outings & 1000hrs Novice men |
| Sunday | Rowing or sculling in --Club mini head 0800hrs first Sunday of month --Crew outings |
Women
General Info
The women’s squad has developed from a small group of novices three years ago into a highly competitive group which qualified for Henley Women’s Regatta in 2009 and 2010. The group looks to welcome new members of any standard. Please come and meet us at 10.am any Saturday morning.
Aims
Over the winter our training is geared towards the Head of the River - where we have multiple entries. In the Spring our thoughts and training turn to the summer regattas and Henley. We compete at a number of events across the South of England, and have often finished the summer off at GBR (Gloucester/Bristol/Ross) - a great club weekend away, definitely not to be missed.
Training
The Squad gets together in the winter on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays – and for some members of the group more often than this. In the summer most sessions will be on the water, and in the winter week nights tend to be land training (a mix of circuits/weights/ergos/running). A typical programme would include:
Day |
Activities & Times |
| Tuesday | Ergo, followed by body and weights programme |
| Wednesday | Ergo, followed by body and weights programme |
| Saturday | A mixture of technical and water work over 2 session at 7.45 and 10.30 each Saturday morning |
| Sunday | Technical and water work. Often a handicapped head race. |
Training Objectives to March 2011
Develop sweep rowing technique in adult beginner / junior rowers
Develop and improve sculling technique across whole squad
Develop strength and endurance base from October 2010 to March 2011 in advance of regatta season
Training
Organised sessions:
Tuesday: 7.00pm ergo 7.30pm: body weights circuit and then muscular endurance and heavy weights - individual programme for each athlete depending on experience / development)
Wednesday: 7.00pm ergo 7.30pm: body weights circuit and then muscular endurance and heavy weights - individual programme for each athlete depending on experience / development)
Saturday and Sunday : water sessions – technique and water endurance
Other sessions: these will be arranged as per the level and commitment of the person requiring them
Testing
Max strength testing at regular intervals to re-assess weights programme in gym.
5k ergo tests to set individual targets for weekly ergos
Masters Men
The Walbrook Masters are an extremely accomplished and friendly group of rowers, with a wide range of expertise and experience. Squad outings take place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings plus Saturday mornings, on what is arguably the finest stretch of the Thames. All ages and levels of experience are very welcome – for more information please contact Matt Evans. Tel: 07985 277 925 Email: walbrookrowing@googlemail.com
How Old is a Vet (Sorry - Master)?
In April 2010 British Rowing changed the name of Veteran Rowing to Masters Rowing with a participation age of 27 to 80+ - but some of us are still trying to adapt to the new title. Perhaps it’s our natural modesty; we would not wish to describe ourselves as masters of the art of rowing, however long we have been doing it.
The Walbrook Veteran Men’s Squad ranges in age from 30 - 70, which gives good flexibility when putting crews together. I joined Walbrook in my fifties and was lucky enough to lose my novice with the Walbrook Men’s Squad before accepting ‘promotion’ to the Vets. Actually the official at the prize giving said ‘What’s an old guy like you doing rowing with these youngsters?’
Walbrook Vets are expanding and entered two 8s in the Vets Head this year. With recent wins in Heads and Regattas, three water outings a week plus sculling if you want it, there is plenty to keep you busy. It’s never too late to become a Vet – even if you don’t become a Master.
Malcolm Fain
Masters Women
The Walbrook master women's is a steadily expanding group, it encompasses a wide level of expertise, comittment and experience.The ladies are regularly out on the water and have as their main aims, to enjoy rowing and keeping fit.
Please contact Diane Graham for more details.
