Development Squad

Our Development Squad is for people who have never rowed before. No experience is necessary, all we ask is that you come in with an open mind and a can do attitude.

Group of young men posing outdoors, some standing and others sitting or lying on the ground, after a sports event, with some wearing athletic uniforms and casual clothing, against a background of trees and a building.
A group of six young male rowers in blue team uniforms with medals around their necks, sitting in a boat on a dock near a body of water, smiling after a rowing competition, with tents and trees in the background under a partly cloudy sky.
A group of eight young women and one young man standing outdoors in front of power lines and a brick wall, all wearing casual clothing including hoodies, sweatpants, and rain boots. They are smiling and wearing medals around their necks.
Eight young girls in athletic outfits jumping into or standing on a body of water beside a dock, with some landing in the water and others mid-air, during daytime. A bridge and cityscape are visible in the background.

We run taster sessions at the beginning of the academic year, where you can try out rowing and check out the facilities at Molesey Boat Club. Keep an eye on our social media for when those sessions will be, or come and chat to us at Freshers Fair in September!

Our aim is to mould you into a competitive athlete where you will have the best chance of winning medals. We look to merge the Beginner and Senior squads by June.

A group of rowers in a boat competing in a race on a waterway with houses and trees in the background.

Training

As a beginner, the intensity of training is slowly built up to around 6 sessions a week. This includes circuits, 2 water sessions, 2 ergo’s and 1 S&C session. Our focus is on getting you fit at the start of the year.

All our land training is done on campus and at Surrey Sports Park. Training is done in the mornings and evenings, so it easily fits around your studies. Wednesday afternoons are solely for sports here at Surrey.

We row out of Molesey Boat Club, which is a 30 minute drive from the University. This is where we do our water training. Lots of our members drive and we have access to the University minibuses, so don’t worry about getting there.

Head races range from 3000-7000 meters where you are set off in crews one after the other. Typically we look to get our Beginners racing at one in November. BUCS Head is a 3000 meter race in February, and will be a main target for you.

Racing

The summer brings Regatta season! These races are ones where boats are lined up next to each other – you battle it out to the finish line, usually over a 2000 meter stretch. BUCS Regatta is in May and will also be a main target for you.

The programme is designed to give you the best chance for racing at Henley by the end of the season.

A team of four men in a rowing boat on a river, wearing sports uniforms and sunglasses, with one man holding his head in frustration, and water splashing as they row.

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