As usual we took the club to 3 summer regattas, Seniors, Masters and Juniors altogether. Henley T&V, Maidenhead and City of Oxford are the most fun regattas of the year providing close, exciting racing and the chance to try out new boats and combinations. In particular they are great for J14s and 15s to try their hand at singles, and J18s to race their last as Juniors before going to university. We had many wins and much friendship.
International honours
We are delighted that three of our Junior athletes were selected to represent GB at the 2025 Coupe de la Jeunesse in Linz, Austria. Tabby, Lucy and Hannah won silver medals in the 4- on both days of the regatta. Naomi was selected for the England 8+ at the Home International Regatta, winning gold in both the 2000m and sprint formats. This brings to 12 the total number of Wallingford Juniors winning International vests this summer!
British Rowing Club Championships
A superb weekend saw Wallingford win the Victor Ludorum for the second successive year after winning 11 medals. Four of these were gold, in J16 and WJ16 coxed fours, J16 pairs and Club coxless fours, with other medals across the age groups and boat types. It was an uplifting end to the main season, and has us excited for next year already!
GB-France match
Eight of our J16s were selected to represent their country at this year’s match at the London Docklands Regatta Centre. All eight won gold! Our five girls and cox Seth combined with three girls from Sir William Perkins School to dominate WJ16 8+.
This composite, despite very few outings together, has been seriously fast from the outset, beating all-comers from the UK and now France. Our boys in the J16 2- prefer things a bit closer. Having won the GB trial by 6 feet, they beat the French by a mere 2 feet in a classic race where the lead changed hands 4 times!
Henley Masters Regatta
Our Masters shone at this year’s regatta, reaching 7 finals and winning two. Our WMasF 4x brought home gold on Saturday; three of them then jumped into a bigger boat on Sunday with our men’s E 4- and Anne to win gold in Mixed F 8+.
BR Masters Championships
Four gold medals, one silver and a bronze was a very good haul from our Masters this weekend. Our men won C 4- in a boost to their hopes of qualifying for Henley Royal; Janet and Anne won both G 1x categories in North Sea-like conditions, and then combined to win the G 2x.
Reading Amateur Regatta
On the same weekend as the Masters Championships, we took a large contingent to Reading for one of our favourite regattas of the whole year. A highlight was our Novice women, graduates of a recent learn to row course, winning their double sculls event in what was only their second ever competition. Altogether we won 11 events with ages ranging from 13 to 79, including our J18 4x and WJ18 8+.
National Schools Regatta
The club was delighted to enter six 8s this year, an unprecedented number, mixing it with the traditional big programmes, despite the fact we only have one decent boat at the club! Our J16 boys 1st 8 won their B Final in style, and our J16 boys 2nd 8 came an agonising 4th in their A Final.
Our WJ15 8 however brought home a magnificent silver medal having done the same at this year’s Schools Head. Great performances from all our Juniors, including our six J14 and J15 quads/fours who made it through to an impressive number of A and B finals on the Friday.
Thames Ditton Regatta
A classic Thames Regatta which we love going to – lots of exciting racing, chances to compete at two different levels, a great tea and cakes stall, and all served up with the usual sunshine.
Many of our crews made their finals, and three won: J14 2x, J15 2x (GC) and WJ15 8+. A great day out!
Help Our Young Rowers Get a New Boat!
We’ve been offered an £8,000 grant from Sport England – but we can only access it if we match it. That’s where you come in.
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-our-young-rowers-get-a-new-boat
Wallingford Rowing Club is a friendly, inclusive rowing club in Wallingford, Oxfordshire, with a growing youth section. We support young people aged 13–18 to stay active, build confidence, and learn teamwork and discipline through the sport of rowing.
But our boats are showing their age – and we simply don’t have enough equipment for our junior members. A new crew boat will make a massive difference to our club:
✅ Safer, more reliable training
✅ Opportunities for more juniors to take part
✅ Ability to compete regionally and nationally
✅ A boost to fitness, friendships, and fun
The total cost of the new boat is over £16,000. Sport England have offered £8,000 – if we can raise the rest through local support.
Whether you give £5 or £50, every penny you donate helps us towards our goal.
Why this project is so important
Our club is more than just a place to row. We’re a community hub, run mainly by volunteers, bringing together young people and families from all walks of life.
We believe every child deserves access to sport – not just for fitness, but for mental wellbeing, life skills, and lasting friendships.
We primarily compete against wealthy independent schools with large budgets, endless resources and top end equipment.
Your support helps level the playing field. By backing this campaign, you’re helping young people from our area stand shoulder to shoulder with the best in the country – with the equipment they deserve.
By helping us buy a new boat, you’re:
🌟 Investing in youth development
🌟 Supporting sport in Wallingford and the surrounding area
🌟 Backing a club that welcomes everyone
How you can help
- Make a donation – no matter how big or small
- Share this page with friends, family, and your social groups
- Ask your employer about matched giving or sponsorship
Together, we can give our young rowers the boat they need to keep progressing and keep moving forward – or backwards if they are in a boat!
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/help-our-young-rowers-get-a-new-boat
Wallingford Rowing Club 