Yr8 Rowers Wanted

Rowing is hugely successful as a sport at the school. Indeed, GMS is one of the leading rowing schools in the UK. We compete at local, regional and national level events throughout the year. Our top boys and girls currently hold national titles and a number of our rowers have been selected for national crews in recent years.

The rowing team is actively encouraging Year 8 students to become involved in rowing over this summer term. Interest in rowing was generated by the Easter course, but the opportunity to take up this sport is open to all students, whether they did the Easter course or not.  GMS rowers are an enthusiastic bunch of athletes; really all that is necessary is enthusiasm and a commitment to give the sport a fair trial.  No previous experience is necessary and it’s never too late to start!

An exciting competition to look forward to competing in is the Rowing Inter House Regatta on Saturday 10th July – more details to follow nearer the time.

All rowing sessions take place at Longridge Outdoor Activity Centre, Quarry Wood Road, Marlow, SL7 1RE. Please use the second entrance, which is just further up the road on the same side.

The school rowing club is an extra-curricular club and the subscriptions to join for this term will be £100 for all the sessions from Saturday 8th May until the end of the summer term. Rowing will run from 8:30am till 10:30am on Saturday for boys and similarly on Sunday for girls. Also, from 3:15 to 5:00pm after school on Monday or Wednesday for boys; and after school Tuesday or Thursday for girls.  Groups are selected by the coaches, but please let Caroline Money know if there’s a day that your child cannot make due to other commitments. The school always endeavour to give students their preferred session but this cannot be guaranteed. Transport from school, during the week, will be by minibus, but rowers need to be collected from Longridge at the end of their sessions.

All rowers wear their PE kit with a base layer and leggings plus extra layers if it’s cold. Waterproofs, including waterproof shoes (wellies and crocs) are important for inclement weather; a drink and snack to keep energy levels up is equally important.

All rowers have to take and pass a swimming test. Under British Rowing water safety regulations it has to be certified that every rower is confident in the water and a competent swimmer. The assessment consists of swimming 100m on their front (in any recognisable stroke); swimming 5m underwater; and a 2 minute tread water test, in swimwear with a base layer top and bottoms over the top and no goggles. All students undertake a swim test with Julie Lyons who runs her own swimming school. More details to follow: the cost is £7 per session, which covers the cost of hiring the pool.

To register interest in being part of this exciting opportunity to row is easy: just fill in the form and email it back to Caroline Money, who is amember of the rowing administration team at rowing@gms.bucks.sch.uk The cut-off date for this is Monday 3rd May. A confirmation email will be sent out on or before Thursday 6th May.

Payment is online. The Online Bank details are: Great Marlow Swans, NatWest acc: 53096649 Sort code 60-14-12. Please add ‘Year 8 Rowing’ and your child’s surname as reference. Unfortunately, this cannot be paid by Parentpay.

Should you have any questions, please email Caroline Money on rowing@gms.bucks.sch.uk

GMS thanks all the rowing leadership and in particular Caroline Money for organising this initiative.