Squads
Juniors
Leeds Rowing Club has an excellent record in youth development which can be attributed the club’s commitment to our junior squad. Our network of trained coaches can provide assistance to juniors from their first time on the water, through to a highly competitive junior racing circuit.
Rowing is an excellent sport for young people, which can help to develop social skills and improve fitness. Our junior squad comprises male and female rowers, although races are not usually rowed mixed.
Parents are encouraged to contact the club to discuss options or requirements and often play an active part in the club themselves.
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Men’s Squad
The men’s squad is ambitious and competitive and has won honours at both regatta and head races in recent years. A range of fitness and experience levels are catered for, with some members of the senior squad being a product of our early learn to row courses. An emphasis on personal development is provided throughout the men’s squad, with additional expertise being provided by rowers with many years of rowing experience.
The men’s squad row at 9:45 on Saturday mornings and at 8am on Sunday mornings. Evening outings are organised whilst light permits during the summer. The club uses a squad wide availability system which allows members to update contact details and provide their availability for coaches and the men’s squad captain to pick crews. Training is usually arranged depending on what commitments can be made, but it’s important to stress that unavailability for certain sessions will not prevent you from rowing.
Squad targets are set throughout the year, with water based training usually increasing on the run up to our targeted events. Individual and crew land training is encouraged throughout the year and co-ordinated from within the squad. Additional training such as gym visits, circuit training and bike sessions also help to gel the squad.
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Women’s Squad
The women’s squad welcomes rowers of all ages, levels of fitness and rowing experience. Members are streamed into groups of similar aims, ambitions and availability, which means we are able to cater for rowers at any level – how far you go, is up to you. We are a friendly, sociable group of about 25 regular rowers at present, which we hope will continue to grow.
Over the last three years the squad has steadily improved, with summer 2009 seeing wins at several sprint regattas including Durham, York, St. Neots and Bradford. We are extremely proud of the fact that many of the rowers who are now regularly competing and winning have come through the club’s Learn to Row course.
We train mainly in fours and doubles, but also in single sculls and a quad. Regular session times are 8am on Saturday mornings and at 9:45 on Sunday mornings. Evening outings are organised whilst light permits during the summer. Members are encouraged to both row and scull (if they wish) and to develop confidence in both disciplines. Coaching support is provided for land and water based sessions.
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Veterans
The veteran squad is a small but growing group that spans all levels of ability from beginners who have learned to row at the club, through to rowers who have competed internationally.
The veteran squad brings great experience and skill to the club, and has been known to outpace some of the younger members on occasion.
Novices
The novice squad caters for beginners who have been through the Learn to Row course or those who have limited rowing experience. It is intended that novice rowers will progress to the men’s or women’s squads and sessions are focussed accordingly on basic technique and building confidence on the water. The novice squad is kept relatively small to allow individual attention for each member.
The training sessions are mixed, and initially use training boats and single sculls, with rowers progressing to crew rowing in doubles and a coxed pair. We encourage novices to row in a variety of boats to give them the broadest possible experience. Sessions are relaxed and each rower will get dedicated coaching to help him or her improve.
At present the novice squad meets once a week on Sunday mornings at 8.30am.
Training times
The club has training sessions on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings at 6pm during the summer and Saturday and Sunday mornings from 8.30am all year round. Members also train together at other times on occasion.
Our junior squad trains together at 2pm on Saturday afternoons and 12 noon on Sundays.
We recognise that most members have jobs, families and other commitments on their time. For those wishing to compete, we do ask that you commit to regular training of at least four sessions per week (two on the water, two land training). For those not wishing to compete they are welcome to join in the sessions of their choosing, and many members use rowing as a low impact way to keep fit and socialise.
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