User:Tmhew12t/Strathclyde Park Rowing Club

Strathclyde Park Rowing Club ...

Strathclyde Park Rowing Club (SPRC) was founded in 2000 by Iain Somerside, Karen & Peter Barton and Tom Hewitt to provide opportunities for local people to take up the sport. Development of the club has been greatly assisted by the Scottish Rowing Centre (SRC).

SPRC’s boat fleet of 20 racing shells occupies the centre bay in the West Wing of the Watersports Centre. In addition, its contract with the SRC allows club members the use of the Centre boats without direct charge. The club has its own coaching launch and Park vessels are also available when required.

Since its inception SPRC has actively encouraged instruction of newcomers to the sport and beginner support is an integral part of the club ethos. Junior induction is carried out on an ad hoc basis with newcomers taken under a coach’s wing as they turn up. For adults a more formal approach is taken. Each year the club runs two Rowstart courses for which a charge is made – discounted from the first year’s subscription if the decision is taken to join. In addition to the racing boats mentioned above, SPRC also has 2 ‘training’ singles for the use of beginners and access to the SRC's 'training' doubles. The usual beginner progression is

rowing machine - rowing tank - training double - shell quad - double - single.

All beginners are required to attend and take part in a capsize drill and swim test at a local pool.

Almost from the outset SPRC has tasted success at high-level competition, picking up medals at Scottish Championships, Scottish Indoor Championships, British Championships, Masters Head (London Tideway), GB-France Match, Coupe de la Jeunesse, Home International Regattas, Commonwealth Championships, Henley Masters and World Masters events.

Recreational rowing remains important though with Session 3 on Saturdays and Sundays being ‘club time’ with elite and novice rowers coming together for a paddle together. (Session 1 is competitive training; Session 2 is a visit to the Coffee Shop.)

When weather or light conditions do not permit boating, SPRC members have the choice of using the club’s 10 Concept 2 ergometers, the SRC rowing tank, the conditioning equipment in the Boathouse Fitness Gym, or running or cycling one of the many pleasant routes within Strathclyde Park or along the bonnie banks of Clyde; the run up through the High Parks to the Duke of Hamilton’s former hunting lodge of Chatelherault is a big favourite.