About the Ladies..... 

If you want to row in a friendly atmosphere, on a beautiful stretch of the river Thames, where people are matched with others of similar ability and time constraints, Barnes Bridge Ladies Rowing Club (BBLRC) is the club for you!!

We are quite a small club, but in recent years, we have been very successful in both Regattas and Head races. We are nearly unique in that we are one of only 2 single sex clubs in the UK. What this means in practical terms is that the club has a fleet of boats and oars that are all designed or set up specifically for female rowers. No HUGE boats with equally huge shoes at BBLRC. In addition, virtually all the clubs members are active rowers / scullers, so we like to think that we are a modern and dynamic club that moves quickly as needs arise. There are no (often overweight) blazer wearers in our ranks sitting around talking about the good old days over a glass of warm brown beer !!

We welcome rowers and coxes of all ages and abilities. Our members range from a couple of ex GB Gold Medal winners who still row on a regular basis to complete novices who are just starting to learn the ropes. The age range is from early twenties through to fifties and sometimes sixties.

If you are an experienced rower - be it senior or novice - we will fit you into our normal outings based on your experience.

We have regular Beginner Sessions where we introduce you to the art of rowing and/or coxing starting from the very basics. You'll be learning with like minded people who equally don't have any previous experience so you will be (literally) all in the same boat.

We charge a small fee to teach complete beginners how to row, details on the membership page.

We have experienced people on hand to help you.

We go out on the water weekend (mornings) all year round. These outings are organised so that you will know when and with whom you will be rowing. During the summer months we will also go out on Tues and Thurs evenings as we want to get as much preparation in as possible for the regatta season.  

We also run regular land based training sessions, such as circuits, ergs and weight training. This training schedule varies between summer and winter - more time on the water in the Summer, more land training during those miserable dark cold winter months. Have a look at the Facilities page to see our training shed and weight equipment.

Underlying all of that is a detailed training plan which caters for the very serious and not quite so serious among the membership.

Generally speaking it is up to you whether you participate in all the training sessions available. We recognise that people tend to have a life, family and/or jobs that prevent you from becoming the next Kathy Bishop. However, it is also fair to say that the more you put in the more you  get out - hard training makes for easier racing (and winning !!).

We have a full range of boats available to members - from Eights all the way down to Singles - so there's lots to choose from.

Of course, there is also a active social side to the rowing activities - Barnes Bridge Ladies are renowned for putting on a good show!! We share the boathouse with Cygnet Rowing Club (mostly male, some quite nice, some awful...) and we do quite a few things together - regular parties, going to Henley Royal, Quiz nights, Club Regattas, setting up home, having children, planned or otherwise - to name but a few. (if you want to drag your boyfriend along - why not point him in their direction?)

Feel free to look around our site, and contact us if you need any further information, or pop along and see the facilities and maybe get out on the water.

Hope to hear from you soon.

 updated 2/09 (DG)