Imperial College Boat Club

The Imperial College Boat Club is one of the most successful in British rowing. It is a high performance centre as part of the Amateur Rowing Association and a well-established breeding ground for athletes who have found success at national and international level. If you want to be a successful athlete, our coaches will train you up, put you in fast boats, and send you off to beat the best of the rest.

Track Record

The Club’s recent achievements demonstrate its strength. In 2002, Imperial was the only club to have it’s 1st and 2nd VIIIs finish in the top 10 in the Head of the River Race. This is an event where 420 boats nation-wide, some of which include national team rowers, race in a processional manner over the Boat Race course. At Henley Royal Regatta 2002, Imperial College raced in a composite crew with Oxford Brookes and won the Visitor’s Challenge Cup for coxless fours. This adds to the Club’s long list of Henley wins, which include the Temple, Thames and Grand Challenge Cups.

Imperial have a tradition of bringing in fresh newcomers to the sport and turning them into successful athletes. Louis Attrill, former member of the British VIII that won Gold at the Sydney Olympics, started from scratch in his first year at Imperial.

New to Rowing

Training for novices, those who are new to rowing, starts in October. After an initial induction period, those who want to pursue the sport seriously will be invited to join the novice training. The programme works around academic commitments during the week, and weekend training is on Saturday and Sunday afternoons. The less serious-minded can also be accommodated – the Club welcomes all levels.

Senior Squad

Training for seniors also starts in October, and consists of 6 water sessions and 5 land sessions per week. Academic commitments during the week are worked around, and weekend training is in the mornings on Saturday and Sunday. An induction period at the beginning of the season helps those who have had some time away from the sport regain their fitness before the winter training starts in earnest.

Competitions and Events

The calendar is busy, with events being attended around the country throughout the year. Main events include the Fours Head of the River and the Eights Head of the River during the winter, where hundreds of boats race over the Boat Race course on the Thames. Summer regattas include BUSA, Metropolitan and National Championships, with the focus of the season being Henley Royal Regatta for the men and Henley Womens Regatta for the ladies. Imperial also sends crews to international competitions on the continent and expenses paid invitational regattas in Europe, as well as holding annual training camps abroad.

Facilities

The Club is proud of its extensive facilities. The purpose built boathouse on Putney Embankment was recently extended in a £2.5 million development to accommodate an expanding membership. It houses 80 racing boats, a gym, clubroom, physiotherapy room, workshop and changing rooms. Upstairs, 8 rooms for are available to rent for students who are rowing at the club. The director of rowing, Bill Mason has been with the club for over 20 years, and has shaped the Club into what it is today. He oversees the novice programme. Simon Dennis, ex Imperial student and also former member of the British Olympic VIII, is the chief coach. He is backed up by two other professional coaches, a boatman and boathouse manager.

Contact Information

Simon Dennis, Chief Coach
Imperial College Boat Club, Putney Embankment, London SW15 1LB
Tel: +44 (0)20 8788 3563
Email: S.Dennis@imperial.co.uk
Unofficial website: IC Empire

History