Rowing at Bedford 

The Boat Club is the sixth oldest school boat club in the country, with a history dating back to 1861. Since then, the club has competed regularly in many national competitions, including the Schools’ Head of the River, National Schools’ Regatta, Henley Royal Regatta, and the National Championships. There are several timed Head of the river races to break the monotony of winter training in the first two terms and regattas occur about every other week through the summer term.

In recent years school crews have won Gold, Silver and Bronze at all levels at the National Schools’ regatta. Last year the club gained to silver medals at the National Schools’ Regatta in Championship Coxless Fours and J16 1st Eights.

 

Many boys have gone on to be selected for the Great Britain Junior rowing team. Last year George Lamb was selected to race in the Great Britain Coxless Pair at the Coupe de la Jeunesse held in Vichy, France, with Alex Robertson from Bedford Modern School where they gained a Bronze medal.

Recent old boys have also represented their country at Senior and Under 23 World Championships, the Commonwealth Games, the Boat Race and have won events at Henley Royal Regatta. Most recently, George Lamb OB was part of the winning Goldie crew. At the recent GB Rowing Team Senior Trials Tom Broadway OB and Tom Burton finished 6th and 8th respectively in the Mens’ Pairs.

The club has excellent facilities within a short walk from the school on the river Great Ouse. It has one of the best-equipped school fleets in the country, thanks to a regular investment programme and careful management and maintenance. Last year the 2 new eights, a Filippi for the 1st VIII and a Janosek VIII for the Junior crews. In addition a new coxed four and coxless pair were also purchased.

The Boathouse was recently refurbished to provide warm, comfortable surroundings, with modern changing facilities, as well as an ergometer room for land training and testing. In addition boys use the newly refurbished gym in the Rec Centre to develop their strength and have access to 10 ergometers to help with their conditioning

 

In addition to domestic training camps, during half terms and holidays, at Pangbourne and Radley on the River Thames, the club has developed a tradition of foreign training camps at senior level. Last year the 1st VIII trained in Pocinho, Portugal during the Easter holidays. This year the Boat Club will send Senior and J16 crews to Aix-les-Bain, France to row on Lac Bourget. This promises to be an excellent camp and good preparation for the following summer’s racing.

Contacts

Master in Charge: Dr W G Suthers
Tel: 01234 362200

School's Boat House
Tel: 01234 359076

Events and Results

2009 Results

Future events and recent results

National results site (run by Rachel Quarrell)

The School runs at present:

Senior Squad (6th): Dr W G Suthers, Mr M J Foster,

J16 Squad: Mr L J Guise, Mr D Kempshall

J15 Squad: Mrs Y J Guise, Mr J Grant-Jones

J14 Squad: Mr C M Palmer, Mr M J Gunn, Mr I Gadsden, Mr A J Huxford, Mr E Miller

Prep School Sculling: Miss I Bowis, Mrs Y J Guise,

 

For school leavers wishing to continue their rowing in Bedford, visit the Star Club website at www.starclub-rowing.org
or at Bedford Rowing Club at www.bedfordrowing.co.uk