Rowing

Introduction

Since September 2023, Hill Head Sailing Club has been collaborating with 5th Gosport Sea Scouts to house some Scout Pulling boats at the club, that can be used by both parties. With the help of a member who is a keen experienced rower (having rowed over at Tudor Sailing Club for a number of years), HHSC has therefore started offering some initial rowing sessions for those members interested in getting involved.

Equipment available

At present we have the use of three rowing boats, suitable for adults and cadets. The slightly larger Coypu boat (shown below on recent rowing sessions) holds 4 adult rowers and a cox, and the smaller boat holds 2 adult rowers. The club also owns the Alston, a unique historic clinker-built boat named after our first Commodore Lt Col JS Alston. Following a recent refurbishment, the Alston is being brought back into use for Rowing.

      

   

The Scout boats are kept on the spitside and either launched down a slipway or via the beach with the help of a simple pulley system. As with sailing, we are governed by the tides, but have a larger launch window around high tide than the safety boats that support sailing races, so we can be slightly more flexible with rowing sessions.

At present the sessions are geared around having an experienced rower/water user to lead the session with novice rowers attending when available, generally Friday mornings and one session over the weekend (weather permitting). We tend to be out on the water for around 60 minutes at this stage, with aspirations for making longer trips in due course for those interested. 

The aim is to row all year round, so wearing layers is essential to keep the wind out. Each boat has a full safety kit including throwing and tow rope, safety knife, plastic survival bag, small first aid kit and a couple of bailers.

Terms of Use for club members

We ask rowers to complete a registration form and to familiarise themselves with the rowing guidance document and risk assessment.

HHSC Rowing Guidance with Row Leader info.pdf

A small fee for a seat in a Rowing boat will be charged from 2024.

Future possibilities

Running some Rowing sessions for Cadet members.

Participating in racing or linking with other local rowing groups and events.

We are on the lookout for a slightly larger boat such as a Bursledon gig as used by other local sailing clubs.

More information

Contact rowing@hillheadsc.org.uk for more information on how to get involved