Weybridge Rowing Club

Weybridge Rowing Club is a rowing club situated in the Weybridge area with a variety of different ages and abilities of rowers from twelve upwards. They are a well known club and have experienced coaches and a good community atmosphere.

Location

The Club is situated on a stretch of the river Thames between Shepperton and Sunbury locks. The stretch is roughly 5km long from weir to weir and is used also by Walton Rowing Club and the St Georges College Boat Club. The club is well known for a fantastic atmosphere, for both Junior and Senior levels. The Junior Squad is still expanding rapidly, and in 2006 introduced a Weybridge Rowing Club Junior Squad (WRCjnr) Team - www.wrcjnr.comThe Seniors have always formed the heart of the club, racing through all seasons of the year.

Rowing Today

The Club currently consists of a wide range of members, consisting of juniors, novices, seniors, veterans and many past and present champions. They regularly race and train together as well as organising great training outings and social events.

History

1880
Foundation of Weybridge Rowing Club
Weybridge started life as a "tradesmen's" club, as opposed to the "gentlemen's" club which began life much later at Walton
1919
WRC joins National Amateur Rowing Association (NARA)
The NARA was set up as a rival to the ARA, which in those days did not permit manual workers to compete in its regattas.
First Women Members
After the 1914-18 war, when women enjoyed greater freedom and were made more welcome in many sports, WRC included a women's event in their "Peace" regatta and formed a women's section, captained by Amy Gentry
1924
Weybridge Rowing Club crew represents Great Britain in the Paris Olympics
The WRC coxed four - V.J. Boveington (stroke), E.W. Hann, J.H. Townend, B.C. Croucher and cox H.L. Barnsley - narrowly missed out on a bronze medal and won many regattas at home.
1926
Amy Gentry founds Weybridge Ladies Amateur Rowing Club
The women's section of WRC moves a few hundred metres down river to its own headquarters.
1920
Weybridge Regatta founded
Held on the Walton Mile, the regatta was known as the Henley of the NARA and attracted large crowds for the rowing and subsequent fireworks display
1939-1945
Weybridge Rowing Club survives the War
Weybridge was one fo the few clubs on the Thames to remain open during the Second World War, though the regatta ceased to exist
1956
Foundation of the Weybridge Silver Sculls
The oldest and best sculling head on the upper Thames, held in October each year and regularly attracting over 500 entries. The famous trophy was made by the event's founder, "Dickie" Bird
1960
Success for Weybridge juniors
Successful juniors of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s included J. Crozier, C Roberts, C Fuller, Peter Levy, Mike Webb, Ian Shore and Duncan Nicholl, all of whom represented Great Britain in international competition. Today almost one third of the active members are juniors.
1982
Re-emergence of women at WRC
Carol Adamson became the first woman captain in 1990. The women's first eight came 8th in the Women's Head of the River in 1993 and reached the finals of Club Eights at Women's Henley in 1992 and 1993.
1991
Foundation of Weybridge Veterans Head
Held annually in March, the event caters for eights and fours, and now includes events for juniors as well as veterans
2000
Foundation of Weyfarers
Weybridge's sister club, formed to encourage members who want to row for enjoyment and to keep fit, but who are not necessarily interested in racing.
2003
Weyfarers hosts FISA Recreational Rowing Tour on the Thames
95 participants from 15 countries rowed from Oxford to Putney in 18 boats, to raise the profile of touring rowing in the UK.

Weybridge Rowing Club awarded "Clubmark" status
Sport England's quality certification confirms the club's excellent standard of care and coaching for juniors

2007
Weybridge Rowing Club Junior Squad announced the launch of 'Wey To Row' Junior Courses in Summer 2007 - Juniors beginners' course held at Weybridge Rowing Club.

ee also

*Rowing on the River Thames

External links

* [http://www.weybridge.rowing.org.uk Weybridge Rowing Club Website]
* [http://wrcjnr.googlepages.com WRCjnr (Weybridge Rowing Club Junior Squad) Website]
* [http://weytorow.googlepages.com Wey to Row - Weybridge Rowing Club Junior Rowing Courses Website]