What We Do
We row on the Thames from the ULBC boathouse. We train on the water twice a week, host a weekly sports night on a Wednesday along with lots of different socials throughout the year, ranging from team pot-luck dinners to our winter and summer formals. As we run under the RUMS (Royal Free, University College and Middlesex Hospitals Medical School) we are committed to working around studies – come March, after our big inter-medical school rowing Head race, we hang up our oars and focus on the impending exams, with the older years running tutorials for the younger years.
How You Can Get Involved
If you've never stepped foot in a rowing boat, we have a dedicated Novice team, where you can learn to row with us with absolutely no prior experience! Our Novice Captains will show you the ropes and get you confident in the water, with the aim of competing with other university novice crews in London and beyond.
Keep your eye out on our Social Media (see below) and the What's On calendar for more information on our upcoming taster days on the 28th of September (we only have one so definitely show up for one of the only opportunity to try rowing on the thames with no strings attached in your life! go to the other sports clubs the next week)!
If you're looking to spend some time in the open air, but the physical aspect of rowing doesn't appeal as much to you, why not try coxing? Our coxes are an integral part of the boat, providing motivation and being in charge of the steering. No experience is needed, get in touch and we will put you in contact with our Captain of Coxes.
If you've already had some rowing experience, and are looking to carry on during your time at university, why not get in contact with our Senior Captains? Our senior teams offer a relaxed yet competitive environment with weekly coached sessions (and no extreme early mornings!) and is perfect for a variety of rowing experience levels.
We also offer a Social Membership, for those who want to get involved in everything from themed socials to black tie balls (as well as medicine tutorials), without the rowing in between!
What We Stand For
Our boat club is more than just a sports team: we are a community who strive to support and uplift our members and help them make the most of their time at university. We are committed to being an actively anti-racist club and have been working a lot over the past year with former and current members on how to improve our club and be as proactive in inclusivity and diversity as possible.
We recognise that rowing is seen as stereotypically affluent sport and we are passionate about encouraging people from all ethnicities and backgrounds to come and try this fantastic sport!
We are serious about our member welfare at RUMSBC and we understand that incoming freshers can feel overwhelmed, isolated and stressed starting university. This year that is truer than ever! As well as providing a support network within the club, we have a dedicated safety and welfare officer as well as a brand new Inclusivity Officer.
Membership
£20 – social membership. Access to all in-person social events and academic tutorials run by the club.
£65 – novice rowing membership. Learning to row on the Thames, land training and competing in novice crews, alongside access to all social events and tutorials.
£85 – senior rowing membership. Coached water sessions, land training and competing in senior crews, alongside access to all social events and tutorials.
(these are some of the cheapest rowing membership rates in the country, if you don't believe us have a look at the other London university's or even the UCLBC membership!)
Where do we row // Accessibility
We boat from UL Boathouse in Chiswick, West London (81 Hartington Rd, Chiswick, London W4 3TU). This location is easily accessible by underground/overground to Gunnersbury, national rail to Chiswick or by car/bike! Access to our equipment is step-free; however there are steps to access the toilets. Please read our accessibility statement attached to this page for more information.
Although we currently are unable to offer para/adaptive rowing opportunities to club members, please get in touch if you are interested and our Inclusivity Officer will point you to resources to help you get started.
Contact Us // Social Media
Make sure you follow our social media pages to keep up to date with our club and our latest events - it's the best place to find out about taster sessions you can attend! Please feel free to message us with any questions on any of our social media pages:
Instagram: @rumsbc
Twitter: @rumsbc
Facebook: RUMSBC
New to our club and looking for how to find out more? Check out our Instagram and Facebook and/or drop our novice captains Etienne Royer-Gray and Freja Forrest or president Madeline Rose a DM. On our pages you can find out more about rowing with RUMSBC and ask any burning questions you might have!
This Club is Pride in Sport Accredited
This club has been awarded a Silver Development Award