Star Club Rowing

or sculling up to Henley or National Rowing Championships or for National Squad selection you will be well supported at Star Club. Star Club has a reputation for producing Olympic and World class athletes over many years, often starting with novice or Junior level entry. Top level National coaches are frequently brought into the training programmes to ensure that our athletes and regular coaches benefit from the best approaches for developing crews. The rowing season typically starts in September with long distance water based training in small boats, underpinned by land training in the Club’s gym, on rowing ergometers and other local centres for circuit training. Regular assessments are conducted as the squad is prepared for long distance events leading up to the Tideway Head in March. After the Tideway attention is re-focussed on the Regatta season, leading up to Henley. In 2011, the Senior men's squad achieved great success winning the Jackson Trophy at The Head of the River Race in March, Finalists in the Thames Cup at Henley Royal Regatta in June and Silver Medalists at the British Rowing Championships in July. In 2012 they were winners of the Britannia Cup at Henley Royal Regatta. Please contact the Club Captain, Rachel Coowar, or the Men's Squad Captain, for more information about current opportunities. Women's Squad

The women’s squad boasts an Ex-World Champion who like most other members of the group learned to row with Star Club. International quality coaching is available to support and prepare any member to the best of their ability. The women’s squad typically boats an VIII and an assortment of smaller boats and single sculls both for Head racing and for the Regatta season, including Women’s Henley. Crews are well supported with group and individual programmes agreed with coaches for both land and water based training and race preparation. Attention is focussed on endurance preparation from September for Head racing up to March, leading to shorter Regatta distances over the Summer including Women’s Henley. Experienced rowers are welcomed at any time into any of the training groups. As with the senior men’s squad, personal commitment to training and performance measurement is demanding but the rewards are amply demonstrated in this important sector of the Club. Please contact the Club Captain, Rachel Coowar, or the Women's Squad Captain, for more information about current opportunities. Junior Squad

Star Club is a highly successful and major centre for junior rowing in the Eastern Region. Star Club Juniors have consistently won medals at national competitions and record about 100 wins at open competition over all age groups each year. Performance winners, improvers and other special awards are celebrated at an annual Junior Awards evening. Standard entry is via a number of links involving County middle and senior schools where pupils are offered rowing under ‘Dry Start’ (indoor) and ‘Wet Start’ (water) schemes known as Project Oarsome, or one of the summer rowing courses organised in partnership with Bedford Borough Council. Athletes join groups according to age and ability and as skills and fitness develop they are encouraged to enter local competitions to gain confidence in the racing situation, with a view to representing the Club at a regional and national level. All athletes are supported by a team of qualified and very experienced voluntary coaches, led by a full-time employed Head Coach. Please contact the Club Captain, Rachel Coowar, or the Junior Squad Captain, Julia Hanks for more information. Master's Squads (Men and Women)


Over the last 5 years, Masters rowing has mushroomed and Star Club has been at the forefront of that development. The Club has the largest masters squad in the region. Anyone over the age of 27 can row in Masters category and Star has a wide spectrum of members ranging from those who have been rowing all their lives to those who have taken up the sport post retirement. Masters race in categories determined by the average age of the crew. There is barely a regional or national Regatta or Head race which doesn't have strong Star representation usually with a 'podium finish' and Star has a strong reputation. Many of our Master rowers joined 'just to enjoy a little bit of social rowing and get fit' but have gone on through our development squad and have surprised themselves when they acquired a voracious appetite for racing. Don't be fooled by our rather more mature appearance. Our technique and speed can match many a young whippersnapper crew. Recent successes have included:

2018
Winners of Mas E4- and E4+ at the British Masters
Winners of Mas E8 at Henley Masters
Wins in E2- and G8+ at Euro Masters
2019
Winners of E8 and G8 at Veterans Head
Winners of nine events and the Victor Ludorum at the British Rowing Masters
Winners of E8 and G8 Henley Masters
Winners of five events and second most successful club at World Masters
2021
Winners of E4+ at Veterans Head
Winners of E8 at the British Masters

Please contact the Club Captain, Rachel Coowar, or the Masters Squad Captain, for more information about current opportunities. Recreational Squad

This class of membership is open to all age groups, men, women and juniors. Many of the members enjoy casual outings on the river, particularly in fine weather. Mixed groups arrange to form crews on a Sunday morning or Summer evening, sometimes to keep fit but always for the sheer pleasure of gentle exercise with friends on an attractive stretch of the River Great Ouse. Outings are typically rounded off in the Club with coffee and snacks or a drink at the Bar. Others may prefer to go out in single sculls and work at their own pace. Some of the recreational rowers may have been active oarsmen and women in the past but many have been attracted to join as parents of active juniors and have continued to enjoy an active part in Club life. Recreational rowing does not involve any serious or regular commitment to training and suits many people who simply enjoy boating for pleasure in an attractive open air setting. Please contact the Club Captain, Rachel Coowar, or the Recreational Squad Captain, for more information about current opportunities.