HASTINGS
ROWING CLUB
NEW MEMBERS
Hastings Rowing Club welcomes new members of all abilities from complete beginners (novices) to experienced oars-people. We are a small friendly club with an excellent location below the promenade near Hastings Pier. The boathouse opens directly on to the beach making access to the water quick and easy.
Although we would love to develop the next generation of Coastal Rowing Champions, we are very focused on rowing for fun and the great health benefits it promotes. On Wednesday evenings throughout the Summer months, from April to September, there will be opportunities to row. Experienced oars-people will be available from 18.00 to 21.00hrs to coach and take you out on the water (weather permitting!). Age is no barrier we have members still racing in their 60s and beginners not much younger.
As part of our Water Safety Code we ask that new members can swim for 50 meters in rowing kit and tread water for 5 minutes. More info on this can be found under the water safety guidance located on the club notice board.
If you'd give it a go, come along for a free taster session with one of our coaches.
COSTS
Yearly subs run from April 1st to the end of March with pro rata terms available for part year membership. Full membership includes use of the boats, club paddle boards, kayak, sauna and gym.
Club membership fees for this year are as follows:
ADULT £120
14-18 YEARS £30
UNDER 14 £10
SOCIAL MEMBER £20
FAMILY MEMBERSHIP* £220
* (2 adults, 2 children)
COMPETING IN REGATTAS
If racing is your thing then there are plenty of opportunities to progress even if you have never rowed. Coastal Regattas are great fun with Junior racing for Under 14s through to Veterans over 50s.
To be able to compete in regattas you will have to have paid your club membership and registered with CARA (Coast Amateur Rowing Association). Talk to Maddie, the Club Captain, about registering. This costs £5.00 and is a one-off fee. The cost of rowing in regattas is currently £4.00 per person per race, plus a contribution towards the cost of towing the boat trailer.
TRAINING
Training takes place throughout the whole year.
From October - April when the sea is too rough and too cold, we mainly do land training: indoor rowing, running, weight training. It is an excellent way to improve fitness and strength for the coming rowing season. Weather and tide permitting we have regular outings to Rye in winter, where we row on the river Rother (see map).
From April/ May onwards we start rowing on the sea, again weather permitting. Summer training is a mix of rowing on the sea to improve technique and land training to keep that fitness sharp.
Have a look at the links for tips and training programmes that make you row faster!
WHAT TO WEAR
For indoor/ water sessions wear shorts and a t-shirt (or track bottoms, long sleeve and hat when it is colder) and a pair of trainers. If it is colder it is better to wear many thin layers instead of one thick layer. Make sure that whatever you wear is close fitting, as loose clothing can get stuck in the rowing machine or boat. Stretchy materials usually work best.
Never wear clothes that absorb lots of water, because they will become very heavy when wet.
Remember to bring a change of clothes and towel for after the water sessions, as you will get wet when rowing on the sea.
For the indoor as well as water sessions it is advisable to bring a bottle of water to keep yourself hydrated.
CLUB KIT
The clubs racing colours are red with a yellow band. We also have club t-shirts and polo shirts with our logo embroidered on.
Club kit can be ordered from the club Treasurer Alan Bates.
