Kingston Rowing Club (KRC) has announced that it will be hosting summer Junior Learn to Row courses, offering young people aged 13 - 18 the chance to discover the sport of rowing in a fun, supportive environment.

Whether your child is new to rowing or interested in developing their skills, this course provides a fantastic introduction to the sport on the River Thames.

Kingston Rowing Club's Junior Learn to Row courses beging on 21 July (Credit: Kingston Rowing Club)

The course begins on 21 June with five-day courses (morning or afternoon) running weekly throughout the summer until 25 August.

It will take place at Kingston Rowing Club, situated on the River Thames, with skilled, CRB-checked, British Rowing-qualified coaches

On the course, people can expect:

• No previous rowing experience needed
• Introduction to the boathouse and rowing facilities
• Basic rowing stroke on the indoor rowing machine ("ergo")
• Familiarization with equipment — parts of the boat and oars
• How to get into and out of the boat safely
• Water safety, confidence drills, and capsize practice
• Building rowing strokes on the water
• Rowing in time with the crew
• Fine-tuning blade work, power, balance, and teamwork

Kingston Rowing Club's Junior Learn to Row courses are for children aged 3 - 8 (Credit: Kingston Rowing Club)

This structured programme is designed to be engaging and educational, helping juniors build confidence both in and out of the boat.

The course costs £300 (includes a non-refundable £50 admin fee; full payment required upon booking)

Each course will accommodate between 10 and 16 participants, ensuring personalised coaching. KRC notes that completing a learn-to-row course does not automatically guarantee entry into the junior squad; selection will be based on coaching criteria.

Parents and guardians interested in booking can email [email protected] with:

• Junior's Name
• Gender
• Date of Birth and Age
• Current School and Year Group
• Parent/Carer's Contact Email

A parent whose child is a member of KRC said: "My daughter loved her Learn to Row at Kingston when she was just 13, she then joined the Junior squad and went on to row through school and at university, winning the British University Championships.

"Kingston is the most wonderful starting point for many National and International Rowing careers, and the club currently has KRC alumni Juniors in the British Rowing Team recently achieving Golds in the European Championships and now preparing for the World Championships."

Kingston Rowing Club's alumni Juniors in the British Rowing Team recently achieved Golds in the European Championships and are now preparing for the World Championships *Kingston Rowing Club)

Starting 20 July, the club will also host a Young Adults Course for ages 18-30, tailored for beginners or those returning to rowing.

These sessions will take place over eight consecutive Sundays, costing £350 (including a £50 non-refundable admin fee).

Past participants have praised the courses for building confidence, camaraderie, and enjoyment in a safe environment, saying:

"The coaching was professional and inspiring, boosting my confidence and creating a fantastic sense of achievement." — JG.

"A fun, memorable experience that I highly recommend." — DS.

To learn more or to reserve a place, email [email protected].