£38,000 of New Rowing Equipment / Seven New Rowing Boats & Rowing Machines for Juniors Funded by Highland 2007 and Henley Stewards


Inverness Rowing Club is the fortunate recipient of £38,000 of rowing equipment funded mainly by Highland 2007 Year of Culture. Seven new boats with new oars have been purchased by the club specifically for young rowers. The Henley Stewards Trust Fund generously provided invaluable additional match funding which was also used to assist with the provision of new rowing machines used for coaching and training.

The boat-naming ceremony on Saturday 21st June 2008 for the Highland 2007 boats - one quadruple scull, two double sculls and four single sculls - included three more club boats which were added to the club fleet over the past two years - two fours (which received funding support from Awards for All) and a recreation double (which received funding support from Inverness Area Sports Council) - making a grand total of ten boats to be officially christened with champagne!

The new equipment is a huge boost to the club - catering to a range of small to medium body sizes which were previously obliged to manage with heavier boats and longer oars. Juniors, women and light to medium weight men are now able to row in boats designed for their size which bodes well for increased participation and successful competition in the future.

Inverness Rowing Club is the only rowing club in the Highlands and has been designated as a Development Centre by the Scottish Amateur Rowing Association (SARA) mainly due to the excellent rowing conditions found on the Caledonian Canal. The club is promoting indoor rowing through local schools in partnership with SARA with an eye to encouraging young people to take up water rowing.

In addition to the senior and veteran sections, Inverness Rowing Club has a small but thriving junior section, six of whom won four gold medals in the Scottish Championships in Strathclyde Park last weekend. Eight new junior members have now joined the original group and during the summer holidays there will be more opportunities for new youngsters to come and try rowing. (Contact IRC Captain 01349-864033).

Rowing incorporates all parts of the body, requiring excellent co-ordination, balance and timing as well as strength, endurance and absolute teamwork. It is a highly disciplined sport which attracts people of all ages and backgrounds, and rarely lets them go - addiction to rowing is a serious business!