Rowing at GMS

Rowing at Great Marlow School was initially rejuvenated after the Sydney Olympics in 2000 with the support of Sir Steven Redgrave, the Amateur Rowing Association and Marlow Rowing Club.

With support from the National Lottery, the school became part of the National Project Oarsome initiative, which began the rise of Great Marlow School’s Rowing Club (GMSBC).

In May 2008 Great Marlow School Boat Club was reformed with an agreement with Marlow Rowing Club (MRC), resulting in the school’s rowers being able to use their facilities and equipment. Within 12 months, the club had become so popular that it had to move out of MRC and join Sir William Borlase at Longridge.

The school bought a fleet of boats for the students to train in (along with coaching launches) and boat trailers. The maintenance and enhancement of this equipment required continual fund raising, external to the school’s funds. An important change was that external coaches were recruited to train the rowers.

Over the following years, Great Marlow built a reputation as a serious rowing school, competing with the top schools and clubs in the country.

Annually, the club attends rowing events across the country and rarely leaves without a win of some sort from the numerous crews the school hosted. The club first attended a national event in 2010, and from 2011 there has not been a season when they have not won at least one National Medal. Frequently, GMS’s top senior rowers attend GB trials: since 2012 there have been students at trials every year.

In 2018, working with the regatta committee, two events were created at the Marlow Town Regatta for school eights. This was designed as a local derby between Sir William Borlase Grammar School and Great Marlow School. At the inaugural event GMS won both cups easily.

The illustrious history of the club created by alumni Sir Steve Redgrave, Steve Turner and Mark Buckingham, all of whom represented GB at the Seoul Olympics, has been enhanced by numerous students being selected for international competition. No less than 16 students since 2012 have gained national selection. GMSBC has regularly competed at Henley Royal Regatta over recent years.