Gravesend, the town situated on the Thames Estuary, might not be the type of town you would expect to have a rowing club. It does however have deep historical links to the river, an aspect of local history that many residents might not be aware of.
Gravesend Rowing Club (GRC) offers training and ‘Learn to Row’ courses that allow rowers of age 13 and up and of a variety of capabilities to immerse themselves in the sport.
Phoebe Stener, 16-year-old Captain of the junior squad, has been training with the club since she completed a Learn to Row course in early 2022.
When asked about the opportunities the club has cultivated for her, she said “Although undoubtedly a tough sport, which requires a lot of physical and mental strength – especially when it comes to the early mornings – the opportunities that I’ve had at GRC have been amazing, having rowed at several races including the Head of the River Race, which takes place on the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race course.”
The club, which is known for being the friendliest rowing club on the Thames, has run in Gravesend for many years. They have been represented at many reputable regattas and races, including the Henley Royal Regatta and the National Championships.
Sign up forms for their next Learn to Row course can be found on their website, along with further information about the club. Additionally, a snapshot of what they do can be seen on their instagram @gravesendrowers.
