About the Club
Formed in 2006, the club has grown to over 150 members of all age ranges and levels of experience. Our squads allows for all levels of commitment from participation to performance.
For many years, Leeds’ representation in the rowing world only existed through the University Boat Club, who rowed in York. Despite suitable stretches of water being available in the city, rowing had not featured on the river or canal since the early eighties, when there was a boathouse at Swillington. For a time during the nineties, Leeds Schools Rowing Club rowed from the boathouse at Waterloo Lake in Roundhay Park, but it was only in 2006 that a community rowing club was reformed using the Waterloo Lake site.
Leeds Rowing Club underwent rapid growth from beginning with half a dozen people to now having a membership of up to 150 including an expansion to a purpose built second site utilising Aire and Calder canal. The club is home to a wide range of athletes from club and social rowers through to elite athletes competing at Henley Royal Regatta, Henley Women’s Regatta and the Paralympic Games.
Brief History
Due to the resurgence of the sport during the late 90’s and early 2000’s, a demand for a rowing venue in Leeds was apparent and Leeds was seen as a Key Strategic Area by the Amateur Rowing Association for development. Space was available at Roundhay and with some hard work by committed members, Leeds Rowing Club was born in 2006 and has continued to grow and develop ever since. In 2014 due to the sheer demand for rowing in the city, a new purpose built boathouse was constructed by the Aire and Calder canal at Stourton to enable the club to grow even further.
Our Committee
The club is run by an elected committee on behalf of its members, with an AGM held annually in September. The committee positions are: Chairman, Head of Rowing, Secretary, Treasurer, Membership Secretary and Development Director. Ex-officio roles include Water Safety Advisor, Club Welfare Officer, Junior Coordinator; plus the squads appoint Captains to coordinate the rowing activities.
The committee meets monthly to discuss all matters relating to the club. Leeds Rowing Club is affiliated to British Rowing and operates under the terms of British Rowing including RowSafe procedures. Leeds Rowing Club is also a registered Charity (Charity No 1142301).
Get Involved
We welcome rowers of any ability. For complete beginners, we run several Learn to Row courses during the year. For experienced rowers, our squads enable athletes to compete at local and national level.