How do I start rowing at Marlow?
Under 18
12-15yrs
Junior Development Squad (JDS) - for juniors age 12-15 years.
The aim of this squad is to train athletes for our competitive Junior Squad. We take in both scullers with some experience and complete beginners who wish to train for competition. Entry is open to all who pass our trials. All activity takes place under supervision of coaches with experience of developing successful young crews.
Progression from JDS up to the Junior Squad is by invitation.
We are currently unable to offer a recreational rowing option for juniors. If you are 17 or older, then the options open to adults are for you.
Adult
Beginner
Your introduction to the club will be via our Learn to Row and Improver courses. Once you have attained your Sculling proficiency award, you can move to the Improvers Squad, which aims to build your confidence to the point where you can go to the recreational or competitive squad that most suits you, or to the point where you can row a single scull on your own.
Experienced, wants to row recreationally/socially/not sure
If you want to single scull, members can book club boats or can rack their own boats at the club. We have two stretches of water - from the club up to Temple Lock and from Marlow Lock down to Cookham Lock.
If you want to row with others, we have both competitive and social Masters Squads, where you will hopefully find people of the same standard.
Uni Students
If you are a Uni Student who has been rowing at University, or who used to row at MRC before going to Uni, you are welcome to join us for the holidays. Please contact the relevant Senior Squad directly and email the Membership Secretary to arrange part-time membership.
Coxes
If you can already cox or are interested in learning how to steer and motivate a crew (ideal for small people), we are very interested to hear from you. Please contact us!
Para-Rowing
BR Elite Talent Development Pathway
We are one of two bases for the British Rowing Elite Talent Development Pathway.
General Participation
We have a long history of adaptive rowing and have a thriving squad of junior and senior para-rowers led by experienced coaches. If you have a disability and wish to row, Please contact us.
Our Squads and Groups
Juniors (U18)
Junior Development Squad
Junior Development Squad (JDS): For juniors age 12-15 years. The aim of this squad is to train athletes for our competitive Junior Squad. We take in both scullers with some experience and complete beginners who wish to train for competition. All activity takes place under supervision of coaches with experience of developing successful young crews.
Entry: open to all who pass our trials.
Progression: by invitation to the competitive Junior Squad.
Training Levels: Water sessions at weekends.
Note: We are currently unable to offer a recreational rowing option for juniors. If you are 17 or older, then the options for adults are open to you.
Junior Squad
Junior Squad: A competitive racing squad for boys and girls aged 14-18. Athletes compete in both Club and Championship competitions throughout the season.Many of our juniors are successful in GB trials and go on to row in international junior competitions.
Entry: Open to those who can already scull/row and who meet the required standard, usually by progression from our Junior Development Squad (JDS).
Training Commitment: Fully coached programme, up to 6 days a week with multiple supervised sessions, paid for via a Junior Programme Fee. A high level of commitment is expected.
Progression: This is a top performance squad. The club pathway is to the adult Senior Squad.
Other Notes: Interested? Contact Us
Beginners
Learn to Row & Personal Coaching
These are paid courses with a qualified coach in small groups or individually. Please see the learn to row page for information.
Improvers Squad
Improvers Squad: For inexperienced adult scullers. The aim is to improve their crew sculling skills and to learn sweep-oar rowing. It is a stepping stone both to squads with competitive ambitions and groups with recreational focus.
Entry: Open to all, who have completed Learn To Row course and Sculling Proficiency or Steering award. Intended as link between Learn to Row and the Senior Development Squad/Masters Squads/ Recreational groups.
Training Commitment: 2 - 3 sessions per week, both in the gym and on the water.
Progression: Competitive rowers transfer to the Senior Development Squad / Masters Squads within 12 months, or join a Recreational group.
Senior Development Squad
Senior Development Squad: For adults age 18-30 who want to learn to row and race competitively. Open to men and women who have completed a Learn to Row course. The aim of this squad is to develop racing skills so that promising athletes can move into the Senior Men's/Women's squad, as applicable.
Entry: By invitation, from Learn to Row courses, or the Improvers Squad.
Training Commitment: This is a coached squad that requires time commitment - usually training 3 evenings per week and every Saturday morning.
Progression: Athletes transfer to the adult Senior Men’s or Women’s Squad within 12 months.
Adults
Senior Men
Senior Men: For adults 17-35 The men's racing squad. A fully coached squad that aims to enter major regattas and head races and develop the most competitive men’s crews possible.
Entry: Open to any adult who can already row to a reasonable standard and who is prepared to commit to the training programme. Most members are under 35 but we do welcome older competitive members. Within the club the entry route is via the Senior Development Squad or Junior Squad.
Training Commitment: 4 evenings a week, Sat and Sun mornings from 7.15am until 11.30)
Progression: This is our top performing squad.
Other Notes: Interested? Contact Us
Senior Women
Senior Women
For adults 17-35 The women's racing squad. A fully coached squad that aims to enter major regattas and head races and develop the most competitive women’s crews possible.
Entry: Open to any adult who can already row to a reasonable standard and who is prepared to commit to the training programme. Most members are under 35 but we do welcome older competitive members. Within the club the entry route is via the Senior Development Squad or Junior Squad.
Training Commitment: 4 evenings a week, Sat and Sun mornings from 7am until 11.30)
Progression: This is our top performing squad.
Other Notes: Interested? Contact Us
Masters
Masters Men
‘Young Vets’: For experienced rowers wishing to compete at Masters Championship standard. There is no formal/regular coaching in this squad. Squad members are expected to self-coach or pay for professional coaching support.
Entry: former Men’s Squad members, or experienced oarsmen from other clubs, or members of the Masters Men wishing to move up.
Training Commitment: 3-4 sessions per week. We expect squad members to maintain good fitness but understand that training has to fit around family and job commitments.
Other Notes: Interested? Contact Us
Masters Men: For those with pre-existing rowing skills and medium level of fitness. This is a very flexible squad intended to provide a broad range of training and competitive opportunities for veteran rowers of all ages. There is no formal/regular coaching in this squad, as the squad members are expected to self-coach or buy in professional coaching
Entry: open to those who qualify as "Masters" who can already row to a reasonable standard. Improvers Squad members who have progressed beyond Learn to Row courses
Training Commitment: 3 - 4 sessions per week. We expect squad members to maintain medium fitness but understand that training has to fit around family and job commitments. Individuals within the group vary considerably in the amount of racing and/or training they can or would like to do.
Progression: more competitive rowers may move up to the ‘Young Vets’ Squad if they achieve the standard
Other Notes: Interested? Contact Us
Masters Women
Masters Women (within Senior Women’s Squad): For experienced rowers wishing to compete at Masters Championship standard. This group trains and competes with the Senior Women’s Squad.
Entry: for older members of Senior Women’s Squad, experienced competitive oarswomen from other clubs, or members of the Masters Women wishing to move up.
Training Commitment: 4 evenings per week plus every Sat and Sun morning. We expect squad members to maintain high fitness to stay within the Senior Women’s Squad, but understand that training has to fit around family and job commitments.
Progression: older rowers with less time to train and compete may transfer to the Masters Women’s Squad.
Other Notes: Interested? Contact Us
Masters Women
For those with pre-existing rowing skills and medium level of fitness. This is a very flexible squad intended to provide a broad range of training and competitive opportunities for veteran rowers of all ages. There is regular coaching in this squad, but squad members are also expected to self-coach or buy in professional coaching
Entry: open to those who qualify as "Masters" who can already row to a reasonable standard. Improvers Squad members who have progressed beyond Learn to Row courses
Training Commitment: 3 - 4 sessions per week. We expect squad members to maintain medium fitness but understand that training has to fit around family and job commitments. Individuals within the group vary considerably in the amount of racing and/or training they can or would like to do.
Progression: more competitive rowers may move up to the masters group within the Senior Women’s Squad if they achieve the standard
Other Notes: Interested? Contact Us
Older Masters
Older Masters: A mixed group of older masters all with long experience. There is no formal/regular coaching in this squad, as the squad members are expected to self-coach and there are many very experienced oarsmen and -women in the group.,
This group provides a group rowing opportunity for those in the older masters categories and welcomes new members.
Entry: open to men and women who qualify as older Masters who can already row to a reasonable standard and who wish to row/scull in a group.
Training Commitment: 1-2 sessions per week, generally off-peak.
Other Notes: Interested? Contact Us
Adult Recreational Group
Adult Recreational Group: For competent scullers/rowers who wish to get together regularly to enjoy rowing, but who do not wish to commit to competitive racing squads. Groups of rowers may take part in Explore Rowing events and excursions.
Entry: for adults who have Sculling Proficiency or Steering awards, or who have been through Improvers Squad but are not able to join Masters Squads.
Training Commitment: no formal expectation. This group is self-managed and generally uses bookable boats in off-peak sessions.
Progression: rowers/scullers who wish to train and compete may transfer to competitive Masters Squads
Adaptive Squad
General Participation
Adaptive Squad: We have a long history of adaptive rowing and have an experienced coach running a very successful programme enabling juniors and seniors to enjoy the sport.
Entry: If you have a disability and wish to row, please contact us.
Training Commitment: Sessions are Wed evening and Sat morning
Progression: some of our squad members also row with Junior and Senior Squads.
BR Elite Talent Development Pathway
We are one of two bases for the British Rowing Elite Talent Development Pathway. See more on our para-rowing page.
Contacting Us
General queries - Junior Development Squad queries - Learn to Row queries - Dates of Learn to Row Courses - Membership information