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. A large number of boys have represented Great Britain in the Junior World Championships, the Coupe de la Jeunesse and the Great Britain v France Match, as well as representing England in the Home Countries International match.

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.

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. 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 to domestic training camps, during half terms and holidays, at Marlow and Pangbourne on the River Thames, the club has developed a tradition of foreign training camps at senior level. For the past few years the seniors have trained in Belgium during the Easter holidays, culminating with Gent International Spring Regatta and the Belgian National Championships. The 1st VIII has won the Junior VIII’s event on a number of occasions against opposition from Germany, Portugal, France, England and Belgium. In addition the club has had five tours to the New England area of the USA, visiting a number of private schools, including Groton, Kent, Tabor and Salisbury, who have all competed at Henley. These tours have involved intensive training, rowing on the sea, “friendly” races and an opportunity to experience American school life.

Contacts

Master in Charge: L.J.Guise
Tel: 01234 362200

School's Boat House
Tel: 01234 359076

Events and Results

Rowing Results

2005-2006
2006-2007
2007-2008

For other rowing results, this link will take you to a national results site run by Rachel Quarrell.

The School runs at present:

Senior Squad (6th & 5th Form): L.J.Guise, W G Suthers, M J Foster, E N F Swanwick

J15 Squad: Mrs Y.J.Guise, R Talboys, Mrs R Maltby

J14 Squad: M J Gunn, C M Palmer, I Gadsden, Miss M Ambler, Miss E Rubio, A J Huxford

Prep School Sculling: Miss I.Bowis, Mrs Y J Guise, C M Palmer,  I.Gadsden

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