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Our Top 5 English Boarding Schools for Rowing

Rowing at English boarding schools

Rowing is a fixed part of the British school calendar, with special annual highlights like the Henley Regatta. Rowing is not just about top performances, but also about developing a strong sense of community and fostering rivalries. But in the best English manner, because rowing has always been and still is a 'gentleman's sport'. That doesn't mean that ladies haven't also established themselves. On the contrary, the sport is equally open to girls and boys. And they all train hard to be part of it. Training requires a lot of discipline and commitment. From technique exercises on the river to endurance training in the gym to strength training, the comprehensive rowing program offered at schools here covers it all. Often, rowers get up very early in the morning before school starts. Or they use their afternoons after classes for training on the water or in the gym to prepare for upcoming competitions – all with great passion.

Advantages of rowing boarding schools in England

Rowing boarding schools are English boarding schools that focus, among other things, on rowing. They offer all the advantages such as excellent academic education, diverse extracurricular activities, and the best possible rowing training. While our mixed boarding schools offer all the benefits, rowing boarding schools offer even more: - Excellent rowing programs and facilities that enable students to develop their athletic skills - Rowing achievements and the opportunity to regularly participate in national and international competitions - Promotion of teamwork, discipline, and physical activity by integrating rowing into the curriculum - A supportive environment provided by dedicated house parents and teachers to promote the well-being of students - Experienced medical staff on-site - Holistic development of students through the combination of academic excellence and athletic development

Bülow Education's Top 5 English Boarding Schools with outstanding rowing programs

Our five rowing favorites are characterized by particularly dedicated coaches and students. They have all participated in national and international competitions.

1. Radley College: Rowing at world-class level on the Thames

Radley College is located less than 10 minutes by car from the Thames and offers optimal training conditions for sports such as rowing. So, it's only logical that the college has its own rowing club: the Radley College Boat Club, known for its participation in prestigious competitions such as the Henley Royal Regatta and boasting around 165 members in eight rowing teams. Those who are members of the club know what they have achieved when training is over. To allow students to train in peace, Radley College has secured exclusive use of a picturesque section of the Thames.

2. Shrewsbury School: Tradition and triumphs in rowing

Located on the picturesque banks of the River Severn, Shrewsbury School is nationally recognized as a leading rowing school and offers its rowers optimal training opportunities. A private boathouse allows athletes to train on the river as early as 5 a.m. This is gladly utilized by the over 200 members of the Royal Shrewsbury School Boat Club (RSSBC), founded in 1866. Even though they have to get up very early for this, they appreciate the opportunity, grab the oars, and row. The school's track record is accordingly impressive: Many former students have shone as members of the English rowing team at Olympic Games and other international competitions. With no fewer than 14 victories at the Henley Royal Regatta, the school has built up an impressive rowing tradition. The introduction of coeducation allowed the RSSBC's girls' teams to quickly establish themselves as well. In 2019, three of the school's teams were the only ones able to qualify for the Henley Royal Regatta. The Senior Girls' Four even reached the semi-finals of the Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup. And at the 2021 regatta, Shrewsbury's Junior Women's Eight made history by winning the first race in this competition. In 2023, two students from Shrewsbury School were selected to represent Britain at the U19 World Rowing Championships and returned with gold medals. The successes speak for themselves, don't they?

3. Wycliffe College: Impressive rowing dynamics

With a boathouse in Saul Junction on a 32-kilometer stretch of the Gloucester-Sharpness Canal, ideal conditions for rowing training are already provided. Rowing is a firm fixture at Wycliffe College and part of a wide range of sports offerings. Of course, the sports staff also contributes to the school's rowing success: Qualified coaches supervise the students intensively with up to 15 training sessions per week, making the rowing program one of the country's leading sculling programs in the last 8 years. And whoever thought rowing was more of a gentleman's sport is mistaken: The girls' rowing team also impresses on the water or during dry exercises on the rowing machines. The synchronicity and harmony among the students are palpable. And the results speak for themselves. Wycliffe College has impressive achievements to its name, including qualification for the Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup at the Henley Royal Regatta, undefeated head race seasons, and victories at the National Schools Regatta. Naturally, dedicated athletes also have access to high-quality equipment: The school has a top-of-the-line, modern fleet, including the Hudson USP Four and the double scull. Particularly talented students also have the opportunity to attend training camps at renowned locations such as Dorney Lake or the Leander Club in Henley on Thames.

4. Bedford School: Tradition-rich rowing on the River Ouse

Bedford School has a long rowing tradition dating back to 1861. The Bedford School Boat Club (BSBC) is even the sixth oldest school rowing club in the country. The successes range from victories at the Henley Royal Regatta to gold medals at the National Schools Regatta. Former students like Jack Beresford and Phelan Hill even represented the British rowing team and won Olympic gold medals. The school offers rowing as a major subject and places great importance on its sports facilities, including a boathouse on the River Ouse. Hard-training students naturally need excellent equipment, and Bedford School provides that. The school fleet is one of the best-equipped in the country. For land training, there are modern changing rooms and rowing machines available. Particularly talented athletes are also offered the opportunity to participate in training camps. These are usually held domestically, but training camps abroad are also regularly offered, for example, in Switzerland.

5. Monkton Combe School: Unbeaten in Bath

Also among our top 5 favorites is Monkton Combe School due to its outstanding achievements in rowing. It has produced more rowers at the international level than other schools of its size. The boarding school is one of the few in Bath to offer rowing as a major sport, and more than a third of students aged 13 to 18 regularly row.

Do you have any questions about boarding schools with excellent rowing in England?

The five boarding schools we have presented offer exceptionally high standards not only in rowing but also in all other areas. You can find a profile and introduction of each boarding school on our website. We are happy to help you find the right boarding school for your child.