By Haydn Cobb
Eastbourne Rowing Club is experiencing a boom in participation after the Olympics with help from Brighton University and local schools.
On a dark and soggy Monday night down on the seafront 24 students were coached in the club’s boat house.
Brighton University Rowing Club’s (BURC) President Chris Lovell runs the training sessions and is already part of the Eastbourne Rowing Club (ERC) before attending University.
The BURC has been based at the Eastbourne’s boat house for the past two years and has seen a huge shift in involvement.
Beginning with a warm-up the students were divided into two groups. One began with circuit training and the other receiving one-on-one coaching whilst on the rowing machines.
The club became a hive of physical strength and the damp room transformed into a burning centre of energy.
Chris Lovell said, “At the start of last year [September 2011] the University club lost a lot of people as our season ends in the autumn. There is currently a bigger attendance to the club this year mostly down to the Olympics. The games were great for us as it increased interest so much.”
“This year we’re going to keep training going throughout the winter to maintain interest for when the competitions start in the spring.”
There was a notion which kept returning of this is where the Olympic heroes begin their journeys’ on the unpleasant nights where they almost end up killing themselves through exhaustion.
For one member of the ERC this journey could become a reality.
Joe Guppy has won a series of junior titles since he took up rowing aged 12 and has competed in many senior events. Joe was chosen for Great Britain’s Junior Team and participated in the Double Scull last year finishing sixth in the world.
His ultimate goal is to compete at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and to get there he hopes to triumph at the Australian Youth Olympic Festival in Sydney next January.
Alan Warland, the ERC Club Captain said, “Of course the Olympics has given us a boost and I hope we can sustain off of it. There is loads of potential from all of the beginners.”
Local schools are also involved with ERC, including rowing in sports programmes and education.
Bob Noakes, ERC Chairman said, “Willingdon Community School was instrumental in helping ERC set up its Youth Development Programme. Bede’s School has added rowing to their activities programme and train twice a week using our facilities.”
It is hoped these links will get more young people into the sport and create great things.
ERC run training sessions for all levels of ability on Tuesday and Thursday nights as well as women only circuit training on Wednesday nights.
EBR Fact file:
- Eastbourne Rowing Club is the smallest of its kind in Sussex and one of the oldest, established in 1865. The club has produced a full international oarsman, Ivor Lloyd, who competed for GB in 1977 at the World Championships and is the current President.
- If interested in having a go at rowing they are open to new members regardless of age, gender or ability.
- Brighton University Rowing Club please contact Chris Lovell: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or visit their Facebook page: Brighton University Rowing Club
- Eastbourne Rowing Club please contact Club Captain Alan Warland or Club Secretary Lesley Baker: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
- The Boathouse, Royal Parade, Eastbourne. BN22 7LD